Heat and Cold Therapy in Nursing PDF

Heat and Cold Therapy in Nursing Study online at https://quizlet.com/_fzs5d6 Widening of blood vessels, increasing Vasodilation blood flow....

Heat and Cold Therapy in Nursing Study online at https://quizlet.com/_fzs5d6 Widening of blood vessels, increasing Vasodilation blood flow. Narrowing of blood vessels, reducing Vasoconstriction blood flow. Application of heat to promote healing. Heat Therapy Used for: stiffness, aches and pains Application of cold to reduce inflamma- tion. Cold Therapy Used for: injuries to limit swelling and bleeding Vasodilation Promotes muscle relaxation and in- creases muscle contractility Physiologic effects of Heat: Increases blood flow Increases capillary permeability Increases cellular metabolism Reduces joint stiffness Vasoconstriction Promotes muscle relaxation and de- creases muscle contractility Decreases blood flow Physiologic Effects of Cold: Decreases capillary permeability Slows cellular metabolism Decreases inflammation Local anesthetic effect Increases blood flow (vasodilation) and promotes tissue healing. Local Effect of Heat Usually for musculoskeletal problems; arthritis, contractures, low back pain May cause drop in blood pressure and Systemic Effect of Heat dizziness. Reduces blood flow to the area (Vaso- constriction) and prevents swelling. Local Effect of Cold Used for sports injuries (sprains, strains, fractures); reduce swelling and bleeding 1/3 Heat and Cold Therapy in Nursing Study online at https://quizlet.com/_fzs5d6 Increases blood pressure and may Systemic Effect of Cold cause shivering. A device with a small electrically heated water storage tank and two tubes con- Aquathermia Pad (K-Pad) nected to a network of tubing within a disposable pad Electric pad used for dry heat therapy. Warmed towel or gauze for localized Warm Compress heat. Immersion in warmed solution for treat- Warm Soak ment. Heat applied with moisture, like a sitz Moist Heat bath. Warm water immersion for perineal con- Sitz Bath ditions. Cold, stinging, burning, numbness dur- Cold Progression Stages ing therapy. Body's response to abrupt temperature change. EG: In heat therapy: vessels constrict, Rebound Phenomenon cannot dissipate heat - potential for burn, and in cold therapy: Vessels will then di- late to protect against freezing of tissues Cooling methods using water or com- Moist Cold presses. Cold application using ice or ice packs. Dry Cold Hyperthermia Blanket Device for controlled heating of the body. 2/3  Heat and Cold Therapy in Nursing Study online at https://quizlet.com/_fzs5d6 special blanket containing coils filled with Hypothermia Blanket a cooling solution; used to reduce high body temperature Assess risks and explain procedures to Nursing Considerations patients. Active Bleeding Contraindication for heat or cold therapy. Condition that increases risk during ther- Circulatory Impairment apy. Hyperthermia Abnormally high body temperature Hypothermia abnormally low body temperature Skin rash or burn Decreased blood pressure. Increased heart rate. Increased swelling and inflammation at Safety Considerations in Heat Therapy: the site of application If a complication occurs: Remove heat source and monitor pa- tient Assess temperature The patient will experience 4 stages of cold progression: Cold Stinging Burning Safety Considerations in Cold Therapy: Numbness Discontinue cold therapy upon numb- ness Monitor patient every 5-10 minutes dur- ing therapy 3/3