When applying thermotherapy to an elderly patient, which of the following should you do?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Elderly patients may have thinner and more fragile skin, increasing their risk for burns with thermotherapy. Checking the skin frequently for excessive redness can help prevent injury. Increasing the amount of heat to increase patient comfort or applying heat to larger areas can also increase the risk of burns. Using moist heat only is not always necessary and checking blood pressure is not directly related to applying thermotherapy.

When Applying Thermotherapy to an Elderly Patient, Which of the Following