Deck 40: Warm and Cold Therapy

Question 1

What is the advantage of a dry heat application for a patient?

A) Longer retention of temperature
B) Softening of the wound exudate
C) Penetration of tissue layers
D) Conformity to body surfaces

Answer 1

Longer retention of temperature

Question 2

If a patient is to receive a cold application for a sprain,he or she should have:

A) A prolonged application time
B) The body part carefully aligned
C) A colder temperature applied
D) Extra packing under the cooling device

Answer 2

The body part carefully aligned

Question 3

The use of cryotherapy has been found to be beneficial in which of the following conditions? (Select all that apply.)

A) During surgical procedures
B) Following cardiac arrest
C) Following colorectal surgery
D) Following head trauma

Answer 3

Following cardiac arrest
Following head trauma

Question 4

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

A)The temperature was set between 95° and 98° F
B)The water in the reservoir was allowed to run out
C)The pad was covered with a towel or a pillowcase
D)The patient was positioned to lie directly over the pad

Question 5

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

A) Keep the pad in place by pinning it with a safety pin the next time
B) Position the patient so that the patient is lying directly on the pad next time
C) Note the findings since this is a normal finding
D) Put the pad back on for an additional 20 to 30 minutes

Question 6

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

A) Apply clean gloves
B) Cover all of the wound surfaces
C) Leave the application in place for 30 to 40 minutes
D) Apply an electrical heating unit directly over the compress

Question 7

The use of cold (cryotherapy)to treat certain injuries is beneficial because of which of the following effects? (Select all that apply.)

A) Relieve pain
B) Decrease muscle spasm
C) Increase nerve conduction
D) Decrease edema

Question 8

What benefit should the nurse anticipate for the application of cold therapy?

A) Vasodilation
B) Local anesthesia
C) Increased nerve conduction velocity
D) Increased blood flow

Question 9

What procedure should the nurse follow when applying hot therapy to a patient with muscle spasm in response to an acute injury?

A) Apply the source for 20 to 30 minute periods
B) Allow the patient to adjust the temperature for comfort
C) Encourage the patient to move the application
D) Position the patient so that he or she cannot move away from the temperature source

Question 10

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

A) The patient with menstrual cramping
B) The patient with an infected wound
C) The patient with a fractured ankle
D) The patient with degenerative joint disease

Question 11

The nurse is applying an ice pack to the patient's knee.She notices that there is moisture on the outside of the bag.How should the nurse respond?

A) Discard the ice pack since it is leaking
B) Refill the ice pack to the top
C) Continue to apply the ice pack
D) Open the ice pack to allow air inside

Question 12

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

A) Reapply the ice pack
B) Discontinue the use of ice packs
C) Refill the ice pack to the top
D) Reapply the ice pack without the wrapping

Question 13

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?

A) Arthritis
B) Renal calculi
C) Pulmonary disease
D) Peripheral neuropathy

Question 14

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

A) Chronic pain
B) Joint trauma
C) Circulatory insufficiency
D) Sprains

Question 15

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

A) Wrap the patient's hands and feet
B) Monitor the patient's axillary temperature every hour
C) Put the patient directly onto the heating or cooling blanket
D) Place the patient onto the blanket and then start the heating or cooling process

Question 16

When the skin is exposed to warm or hot temperatures,which of the following occurs? (Select all that apply.)

A) Vasodilation
B) Vasoconstriction
C) Perspiration
D) Piloerection

Question 17

Of the following methods of warming patients undergoing major surgery,which has been shown to be the most beneficial?

A) Placing warm blankets on the patient
B) Infusing warmed intravenous (IV) fluids
C) Active external/surface rewarming
D) None of the above

Question 18

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

A) Discontinue treatment
B) Place more padding around the patient
C) Discuss with the physician the use of a metabolic stimulant
D) Increase the temperature to a more comfortable range

Question 19

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

A) Continue the therapy
B) Apply a cold compress
C) Reduce the amount of heat
D) Remove the pad and reassess in 5 minutes

Question 20

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

A) Continue application of the therapy
B) Stop cold therapy
C) Apply more ice to the ice pack
D) Check for moisture on the ice pack, indicating leakage

Question 21

The ________________ blanket raises,lowers,or maintains body temperature through conductive heat or cold transfer between the blanket and the patient.

Question 22

Hot applications are used with caution in which of the following conditions? (Select all that apply.)

A) Pregnancy
B) Laminectomy sites
C) Malignancy
D) Spinal cord injury
E) None of above

Question 23

A section of sterile or clean gauze moistened with a prescribed heated solution is known as a warm _________.

Question 24

Because reduction of inflammation is the primary goal,cryotherapy is the treatment of choice for the first __________ hours after an injury.

Question 25

A __________ is given using a special tub or chair basin that allows a patient to sit in water without immersing the legs,feet,and upper trunk.

Question 26

___________ exerts a profound physiological effect on the body,reducing inflammation caused by injury to the musculoskeletal system.

Question 27

Which of the following conditions are best treated with cold therapy? (Select all that apply.)

A) Localized inflammatory responses
B) Hemorrhage
C) Muscle spasm
D) Pain
E) None of above

Question 28

Because a cloth placed over a heating pad conducts temperatures poorly,it can protect the skin and tissues from hot temperature extremes and is known as an ___________.

Question 29

It generally is accepted to discontinue hypothermia treatment when the patient's core temperature is __F above desired temperature.

Question 30

Advantages of moist heat over dry heat include which of the following? (Select all that apply.)

A) Reduces drying of skin
B) Softens wound exudate
C) Does not cause skin maceration
D) Penetrates deeply into tissue layers

Question 31

The ____________ is the body's thermostat,and it regulates heat production and heat loss.

Question 32

Advantages of dry heat over moist heat include which of the following? (Select all that apply.)

A) Less likely to burn skin
B) Decreases drying of the skin
C) Does not cause skin maceration
D) Increases sweating

Question 33

The _______________ consists of a waterproof rubber or plastic pad connected by two hoses to an electrical control unit that has a heating element and a motor.Distilled water circulates through hollow channels in the pad to the control unit where water is heated.