Hot and Cold Application Flashcards
What are the local effects of heat
Old remedies for aches and pain for comfort and relief
Causes Vasodilation and increases blood flow to the affected area
Promotes soft tissue healing and increases suppuration
Disadvantage of Heat Application
It increases capillary permeability, which allows extracellular fluid and substances that may result in edema or an increase in preexisting edema .
applied locally for conduction using bottle water, electric pad, aquathermia pad or disposable heat pack.
Heat dry
can be provided through conduction by compress, hot pack, soak or sitz bath.
Heat Moist
Local Effect of Cold
Lowers the temperature of the skin and underlying tissues and causes Vasoconstriction.
Prolonged exposure to cold results in impaired circulation, cell deprivation, and subsequent damage to the tissues from lack of oxygen and nourishment.
Cold is most often used for sports injuries to limit post injury swelling and bleeding.
Systemic effect of heat
Heat may cause excessive peripheral vasodilation, which produces a drop in blood pressure. A significant drop in blood pressure can cause fainting.
Systemic effect of cold
Extensive cold applications and vasoconstriction, a client’s blood pressure can increase. Shivering, a generalized effect of prolonged cold
Thermal Tolerance
the presence of any conditions indicating the need for special precautions during heat and cold therapy
The 3 thermal tolerance
Neurosensory Impairment
Impaired Mental Status
Impaired Circulation
unable to perceive that heat is damaging the tissues and are at risk for burns or are unable to perceive discomfort from cold and prevent tissue injury.
neurosensory impairment
altered level of consciousness need monitoring during applications to ensure safety therapy.
impaired mental status
People with peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, or congestive heart failure lack the normal ability to dissipate heat via the blood circulation, which puts them at risk for tissue damage with heat and cold applications.
impaired blood circulation
Cold applications
Open wounds.
Impaired circulation
Allergy or hypersensitivity to cold
Heat Applications
Active hemorrhage
Noninflammatory edema
Skin disorder that causes redness or blisters
Variables affecting physiologic Tolerance to Heat and Cold
Skin Intactness Body Parts Site of the exposed body parts Individual Tolerance Length of exposure
Occurs at the time the maximum therapeutic effect of the hot or cold application is achieved and the opposite effect begins. ( 20-30mins- 30-45mins ) or cold application ( 15 C )is achieved and the opposite effect begins
Rebound Phenomenon
generally applied locally by means of a cold pack, ice bag, ice glove, or ice collar. In addition, continuous cold therapy (cryotherapy) following joint surgery or injury can be delivered by a cooling unit similar to the aquathermia pad
dry cold
can be provided by compress or a cooling sponge bath.
Moist cold
Common source of dry heat used in the home.
• It is convenient and relatively inexpensive.
•The following temperatures of the water used to fill the bag are considered safe in most situations and provide the desired effect:
•normal adult and child over 2 years, 46°C to 52°C (115°F to 125°F);
• debilitated or unconscious adult, or child under 2 years, 40.5°C to 46°C (105°F to 115°F).
Hot Water Bottle/Bag
Also referred to as a K-pad
It is constructed with tubes containing water. The pad is attached by tubing to an electrically powered control unit that has an opening for water and a temperature gauge .
Some pads have an absorbent surface through which moist heat can be applied.
Aquathermia pads
Methods of Heat
Hot Lamp
Hot Sitz Bath
Heat Moist Compress
Hot Soaks
Methods of Cold
Ice Bags
Ice Caps
Cold Moist Compress
Hypothermia blankets
to lower head temperature and prevent brain edema for unconscious clients.
Ice caps
