Question 1

Therapeutic interventions designed to correct hypothermia and progressively raise body temperature are essential to improve patient outcomes.The nurse understands that this is accomplished by correcting acid-base imbalances,body temperature,and which of the following additional clinical manifestations?

Accepted Answer

Therapeutic interventions are designed to correct hypothermia and progressively raise body temperature by correcting acid-base imbalances,body temperature,and coagulopathies.Shearing forces,nerve conduction,and muscle spasms do not play a role in the correction of hypothermia and improved patient outcomes.

Question 2

The patient is receiving cold therapy and complains to the nurse that the area being treated is numb.How should the nurse respond?

Accepted Answer

Numbness is a sign that the area has been exposed to cold for too long. Continuing the application of therapy could result in tissue damage. The nurse should stop the cold therapy to allow the area to warm up and regain sensation.

Question 3

Which of the following conditions would require using caution in applying cold therapy?

Accepted Answer

Cold therapy may worsen circulation problems in individuals with circulatory insufficiency.

Question 4

The nurse is explaining to the patient the rationale for the use of dry heat.Which of the following statements indicates understanding of the advantage of dry heat application for the patient?

Accepted Answer

Dry heat maintains temperature changes longer than moist heat, making it more effective in providing sustained therapeutic benefits. While moist heat penetrates tissue layers more deeply, dry heat conforms better to body surfaces and reduces drying of the skin. However, the patient was specifically asked about the advantage of dry heat, and maintaining temperature changes longer is its main advantage.

Question 5

A new staff nurse is assigned to the unit.The charge nurse evaluated that the new staff member knows proper use of the aquathermia pad when the:

Accepted Answer

The aquathermia pad should always be covered with a towel or a pillowcase to prevent burns to the patient's skin. Setting the temperature between 95°F and 98°F is appropriate, but it alone does not ensure proper use of the pad. Letting the water run out of the reservoir or positioning the patient to lie directly over the pad are improper use of the pad and can cause harm to the patient.

Question 6

When the skin is exposed to warm or hot temperatures,which of the following occurs?

Accepted Answer

When the skin is exposed to warm or hot temperatures, the body attempts to cool itself down through vasodilatation (widening of blood vessels) to increase blood flow to the skin's surface and perspiration, which evaporates and releases heat from the body. Vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels) and piloerection (erection of hair follicles) are responses to cold temperatures.

Question 7

If a patient on a hypothermia blanket starts to shiver,what action should the nurse take?

Accepted Answer

Adjust the temperature to a more comfortable range and assess whether shivering decreases.If shivering continues,stop treatment and notify the physician.

Question 8

The nurse removes an ice pack and notices that the area underneath the ice pack is blue.What action should the nurse take?

Accepted Answer

The blue coloration under the ice pack is likely due to tissue damage or decreased blood flow, which can be harmful. The nurse should discontinue the use of ice packs and assess the area for any further signs of tissue damage, such as blisters or skin breakdown.

Question 9

If a patient is ordered to receive a cold application for a sprain,the nurse should ensure:

Accepted Answer

The nurse should ensure that the body part is carefully aligned to prevent further injury or discomfort. Prolonged application time may lead to tissue damage, and a colder temperature may also cause harm. Extra packing may not be necessary for a cold application.

Question 10

Advantages of moist heat over dry heat include which of the following manifestations?

Accepted Answer

Moist heat reduces drying of the skin, softens wound exudate, and penetrates deeply into tissue layers, making it more effective for certain therapeutic applications compared to dry heat.

Question 11

The nurse is using cryotherapy for a patient with a sprained ankle.The nurse explains the benefits to her patient.Which of the following statements made about the benefits of cryotherapy is correct?

Accepted Answer

Cryotherapy provides local anesthesia by numbing the affected area, which can help reduce pain and swelling. It does not cause vasodilatation, increase nerve conduction velocity, or increase blood flow. In fact, cryotherapy reduces blood flow and can slow nerve conduction velocity.

Question 12

The nurse is removing a heating pad and notices that the skin beneath the pad is pink and warm to touch.How should the nurse respond?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should document the findings of the pink and warm skin. This is a normal and expected response to heat therapy and indicates adequate blood flow to the area. The other options are incorrect and potentially harmful. Pinning a heating pad can cause burns or injury if the patient moves, lying directly on the pad can also cause burns, and the nurse should not put the pad back on for an additional 20 to 30 minutes without checking the patient's skin again for signs of redness or burns.

Question 13

What procedure should the nurse follow when applying hot compresses to an open wound?

Accepted Answer

Pack gauze snugly against the wound.Be sure that all wound surfaces are covered by a warm compress.Packing of compresses prevents rapid cooling from underlying air currents.Sterile gloves are used to contact an open wound.Apply heat for 20 to 30 minutes every 2 hours.Cover the moist compress with dry sterile dressing and a bath towel.Apply an aquathermia pad or a waterproof heating pad over the towel.

Question 14

The use of cold (cryotherapy)to treat certain injuries is beneficial because of which of the following effects?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The use of cold (cryotherapy)to treat certain...

Question 15

Hot applications are used with caution in which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Hot applications are used with caution in...

Question 16

Which of the following conditions are best treated with cold therapy?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following conditions are best...

Question 17

When reviewing the documentation of patients on the unit,a nurse determines that one of the patients is at higher risk for injury from a local heat application to an extremity.Which condition poses this risk?

Accepted Answer

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that affects the nerves in the extremities, which can cause a loss of sensation and increase the risk of burns or other injuries from heat application. Arthritis, renal calculi, and pulmonary disease do not specifically increase the risk of injury from a local heat application.

Question 18

For which patient should the nurse consider an application of cold?

Accepted Answer

Applying cold is beneficial for reducing pain, inflammation, and swelling in acute injuries such as a fractured ankle. It should not be used for menstrual cramping, which could benefit from heat, an infected wound, which requires warm compresses, or degenerative joint disease.

Question 19

When applying a hypothermia or hyperthermia blanket,the nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Wrap the patient's hands and feet in gauze.This reduces the risk for thermal injury to the body's distal areas.Monitor the patient's temperature and vital signs every 15 minutes during the first hour and after every 30 minutes of therapy thereafter.Cover the hypothermia or hyperthermia blanket with a thin sheet or bath blanket.Precool or prewarm the blanket,setting the pad temperature to the desired level.

Question 20

Assessment of a patient reveals that the area directly under the heating pad is slightly red.How should the nurse respond?

Accepted Answer

If skin is reddened and sensitive to touch,the symptoms indicate first-degree burn.Remove the pad and reassess in 5 to 10 minutes.

Quiz 42: Therapeutic Use of Heat and Cold