The patient is recovering from a delivery that included a midline episiotomy. Her perineum is swollen and sore. Ten minutes after an ice pack is applied, the patient asks for another. The best response from the nurse is:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Applying ice packs for swelling after a delivery with a midline episiotomy is a common practice. However, it's important to allow the skin to return to its normal temperature between applications to prevent tissue damage. A typical recommendation is to apply the ice pack for 10 minutes and then leave it off for 20 minutes before reapplying. This cycle helps reduce swelling while minimizing the risk of cold injury to the skin.

The Patient Is Recovering from a Delivery That Included a Midline