Superficial heat

Question 1

Normal core temperature

Answer 1

37°C
98.6°F

Skin and other peripheral tissues are slightly less than core temperature

Question 2

conduction

Answer 2

Energy transfer between two materials and direct contact with one another

Question 3

convection

Answer 3

Energy transfer between two materials when one is circulating past the other

Question 4

conversion

Answer 4

Non-thermal energy converted to heat

Question 5

Radiation

Answer 5

Energy transfer between two materials that are not in contact with one another

Question 6

gradient

Answer 6

Greater temp gradient gives greater tissue temperature rise

Question 7

specific heat

Answer 7

Higher specific heat equals more energy to heat slower loss

Question 8

Rate heat is applied

Answer 8

If slow transfer, the tissue temperature rise is balanced by blood carrying heat

If transfer faster than blood can carry heat away, and TTR is too great, pain and burns result

Question 9

neuromuscular effects after superficial heat

Answer 9

Changes in nerve conduction, velocity, and firing rate

Increased pain threshold

Changes in muscle strength

Question 10

altered tissue extensibility due to superficial heat

Answer 10

Increased collagen extensibility

Question 11

Contraindications for superficial heat

Answer 11

impaired mentation

Recent or potential hemorrhage
Thrombophlebitis
Impaired sensation
Malignant tumor
Infrared treatment over the eyes

Question 12

precautions for superficial heat

Answer 12

Edema
Pregnancy
Cardiac insufficiency

Acute injury or inflammation
Impaired circulation
Poor thermal regulation
Presence of metal
Topical counter irritants
demyelinated nerves
Open wound

Question 13

types of superficial heating

Answer 13

Hot packs
Paraffin treatments
Fluidotherapy
Infrared lamps

Question 14

Hot packs

Answer 14

Moist heat with heat transferred by conduction

Use 6 to 10 layers of towels

applied for 20 minutes max

Always check patient after five minutes

Desired sensation is warmth similar to towels fresh out of the dryer

Question 15

Hot packs advantages

Answer 15

Easy to use
Inexpensive
Readily available for home use

Question 16

hot pack precautions

Answer 16

Bony prominences
Lying on the hot pack

Question 17

Hot pack, disadvantages

Answer 17

Hot pack must be removed to assess treatment area

Possibly too heavy for patient to tolerate

Difficult with small irregular surfaces

Active motion, not possible during treatment

Question 18

Paraffin treatments

Answer 18

heat transferred by conduction

Mineral oil is added to paraffin to also the melting point in lower the specific heat

Therapeutic temperature is 126 to 130°F

Question 19

Paraffin advantages

Answer 19

covers irregular surfaces
Easy to use
Inexpensive
Can elevate body region, if using dip wrap method
Oil lubricates/moisturizes skin

Question 20

Paraffin disadvantages

Answer 20

messy
Not good for proximal or large areas
Cannot move or visualize area being treated
Flammable
Cross contamination if reusing paraffin

Question 21

Paraffin precautions

Answer 21

Small scratches, cover with gauze

Scar tissue may be more sensitive

Question 22

paraffin additional contraindications

Answer 22

Open wounds draining lesions rashes
New skin or recent scar tissue
Jewelry
Water on skin

Question 23

paraffin before treatment

Answer 23

clean and dry area
Inspect skin
Check temperature or paraffin
Educate patient to avoid touching sides of the parapet tank and to know that it is normal for paraffin to feel hottest near the nailbeds

Question 24

dip wrap

Answer 24

milder heating

Question 25

dip immersion

Answer 25

More vigorous heating

Question 26

fluidotherapy

Answer 26

heat transferred by convection

Cellulose particles made from corn cobs, suspended in cabinet by circulating warm air

Extremity placed into cabinet

100 to 118°F

Question 27

fluido therapy, precautions, and disadvantages

Answer 27

Small scratches and scar tissue cover with plastic

Expensive
limb must be in dependent area
Spilled on floor cellulose can make floor slippery

Question 28

fluidotherapy advantages

Answer 28

easy to use
Patient can move exercise during treatment
Therapist can provide manual therapy during treatment
Minimal pressure applied to treatment area

Question 29

infrared lamps

Answer 29

Heat transferred by radiation

Wavelength equals 780-1400 nm

Superficial effects only

Intensity of the radiation
Decreases in proportion to the square of the distance from the treatment area
Decreases in proportion to the cosine of the angle of incidence

Question 30

infrared lamps advantages

Answer 30

No contact with patient so no risk of infection and no concerns about an object that may be too heavy for patient

Treatment area can be observed during treatment

Question 31

Infrared lamps, disadvantages

Answer 31

radiation not easily localized to specific area

Difficult to provide consistent heating due to our bodies, natural contours

Question 32

contrast baths

Answer 32

heat transferred by conduction or convection

Used to provide benefits of heat without as much increase in edema

Warm water 100 to 111°F Coldwater- 50 to 64°F

3 to 10 minutes warm water
One to three minutes cold water

Treat 20 to 30 minutes

Question 33

contrast, baths advantages

Answer 33

May increase superficial blood flow

Good for contoured surfaces

Pain control option without increasing edema

Patient can move body around

Question 34

contrast baths, disadvantages

Answer 34

Limb, in dependent position

Cold water may not be tolerable