Superficial cold

Question 1

ideal tissue temperature for treatment

Answer 1

15 to 25°C
59 to 77°F

Question 2

magnitude of temperature changes depends on

Answer 2

Temperature difference between tissue and cold source

Exposure time

Conductivity of area being treated

effect/amount of blood flow in the area

Question 3

Conduction method

Answer 3

Cold packs
Ice massage
Cold towels

Question 4

convection method

Answer 4

Fan

Question 5

evaporation method

Answer 5

Vapo coolant spray

Question 6

hemoDynamic effects of superficial cold

Answer 6

vasoconstriction
Reduces edema

Question 7

Metabolic effects of cold

Answer 7

decrease metabolic rate

Question 8

neuromuscular effects of cold

Answer 8

Decreased nerve conduction velocity

Reduce pain and increase pain threshold

Altered muscle strength

Decrease spasticity

Question 9

Absolute contraindications of cold

Answer 9

cold hypersensitivity
Cold intolerance
Cryoglobulinemia
Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria
raynaud disease or phenomenon

Question 10

relative Contra indications

Answer 10

Regenerating peripheral nerves
Circulatory compromise or peripheral vascular disease

Question 11

precautions for total body cold

Answer 11

Impaired mental
very young
Very old
Hypertension

Question 12

precautions for cold

Answer 12

Superficial main branch of nerve
Open wound
Poor sensation

Question 13

options for superficial cooling

Answer 13

Cold or ice packs
Ice massage
Controlled cold compression unit
vapoCoolant sprays and brief icing

Question 14

Cold ice packs

Answer 14

Final pack filled with silica or mixture of saline and gelatin

Semi solid between 0 to 5°C

Crushed ice in plastic bag

4:1 ratio water and rubbing alcohol

Ice pack more aggressive

Cover pack with damp pillowcase

Apply 10 to 20 minutes

Question 15

Cold ice pack advantages

Answer 15

Easy to use
Inexpensive
Readily available for home use
Can elevate limb

Question 16

ice pack disadvantages

Answer 16

pack must be removed to assess treatment area

possibly too heavy for patient to tolerate

Difficult with small irregular surfaces

Longer treatment versus ice massage

Question 17

ice massage

Answer 17

Ice directly on skin

Massage with small overlapping circles
Wipe away water as melts

5 to 10 minutes until pain reduction
3 to 5 minutes for muscle facilitation

Question 18

ice massage advantages

Answer 18

Treatment area can be observed during treatment
Can treat small irregular body regions
Easy to use
Short treatment times
Inexpensive
Readily available for home use
can elevate limb

Question 19

ice massage disadvantages

Answer 19

Takes too long to do on a larger body region

Clinician or patient must be actively involved during treatment

Question 20

controlled cold compression unit

Answer 20

Cold water/air pumped into sleeve

Water temperature 10 to 25°C or 50 to 77°F

Most commonly used during postop period

Helps control, pain, edema, and inflammation

Question 21

controlled cold compression unit advantages

Answer 21

Allows compression elevation, and cold all at once

Variables easy to control

Can be applied to large joints

Question 22

controlled cold compression unit disadvantages

Answer 22

Expensive
Only applicable for extremities, but not digits
Cannot move or visualize area being treated

Question 23

vapocoolant spray

Answer 23

Ethyl chloride or fluori-methane

evaporation on skin results and rapid cooling of superficial tissues

Applied in parallel strokes along skin overlying trigger points

Provides counter stimulus results in reduction of motor neuron activity

Immediately followed by stretching

quick Icing may achieve the same result

Question 24

vapocoolant spray precautions

Answer 24

Risk of frostbite if used excessively all at once

Inhalation could be dangerous

Question 25

vapo coolant spray advantages

Answer 25

brief duration of cooling
Can localize small area

Question 26

Vapo coolant spray disadvantages

Answer 26

Limited to brief localized superficial cooling prior to stretching

There are other ways to accomplish the same goal