Davis Chapter 18 Heat Therapy Flashcards
HEAT THERAPY:
The local application of heat to an area of the body results in
vasodilation
Heat Therapy for an increased flow of oxygenated and nutrient-rich blood to the
tissues
The pores in the capillary walls become more permeable during
Heat therapy
When the capillary walls become permeable during heat therapy this allows
increased passage of plasma, oxygen-carrying red blood cells, nutrients, and white blood cells from the capillaries into the interstitial spaces
Indications for Heat Therapy:
●Relaxation of muscle spasms
●Pain relief
●Support of the healing process
●Reduction of edema
●Elevation of body temperature in cases of hypothermia
Use of heat therapy to the right lower abdomen during acute appendicitis could cause enough increased blood flow to the area to result in a ruptured appendix
Suspected appendicitis
Applying heat to a bleeding wound or injury would dilate the vessels, increasing the bleeding
Bleeding wound or injury
Heat increases edema, making joint mobility more difficult
Newly injured joints
Extensive heat application can result in massive vasodilation to the superficial skin and subcutaneous layers, depriving the major organs, such as the brain, heart, lungs, and kidneys, of adequate blood supply, which can cause serious damage
Large areas of the body in certain cardiac patients
Methods of Heat Application 1:
●Commercial heat packs
●Heating pads
●Aquathermia pads
●Warming blankets
Methods of Heat Application 2:
●Hot compresses
●Socks
●Sitz baths
●Whirlpool baths
Heat therapy needs to be____.
monitored
Who should be monitored carefully with the use of heat therapy
Older people, children, those with diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and other disorders that affect circulation
Nursing Care During Heat Therapy: The nurse should
•Assess the patient’s skin for temperature, color, sensation, edema, and integrity
•Carefully check the temperature of the heating device before applying it to the patient
•Always reassess the skin after removal of the heat source to evaluate the patient’s response
TRUE OR FALSE: If a patient is suspected of having appendicitis, heat therapy should be used?
False
COLD THERAPY:
Application of cold to a site causes
vasoconstriction
During what therapy do the pores in the capillary walls become less permeable to fluid passing from the vessels to interstitial spaces
Result is decreased blood flow to the area
Cold therapy
lowers the body temperature, slowing metabolism, decreasing tissue oxygen demand, and therefore decreasing the chance of ischemia
Systemic cold
Indications for Cold Therapy:
●Prevention of edema
●Control or stoppage of bleeding
●Pain relief
●Numbing sensation
●Reduction of muscle spasm
●Reduction of fever
Methods of Cold Application:
●Refreezable commercial cold packs
●Chemical cold packs
●Cold compresses
●Tepid baths
Which of the following is an example of cold therapy?
Tepid baths
are used mostly for reduction of body temperature when use of medication is undesirable or ineffective. Either a tub bath or pan of water for sponging the patient can be used.
Tepid (cool but not cold) baths
Nursing Care During Cold Therapy
●Assessment of the skin is done before application of the cold therapy
●Leave cold packs in place no longer than 20 to 30 minutes
●The patient may complain of pain or a burning sensation, assess for pallor, and mottling
●The patient may require a blanket to cover the rest of the body
●Evaluate the effects of the cold therapy
A sensory and/or an emotional experience which means different things to different people
Pain
