1. Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Chapter 33 Heat and Cold Applications

2. Slide 2 Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.  Heat and cold applications: Promote healing and comfort Promote healing and comfort Reduce tissue swelling Reduce tissue swelling  Heat and cold have opposite effects on body function.  Doctors order heat and cold applications.  Other centers let nursing assistants do so.

3. Slide 3 Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.  HEAT APPLICATIONS  Heat: Relieves pain Relieves pain Relaxes muscles Relaxes muscles Promotes healing Promotes healing Reduces tissue swelling Reduces tissue swelling Decreases joint stiffness Decreases joint stiffness  When heat is applied to the skin: Blood vessels in the area dilate. Blood vessels in the area dilate. Blood flow increases. Blood flow increases. Tissues have more oxygen and nutrients for healing. Tissues have more oxygen and nutrients for healing. Excess fluid is removed from the area faster. Excess fluid is removed from the area faster. The skin is red and warm. The skin is red and warm.

6. Slide 6 Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.  Complications High temperature can cause burns. High temperature can cause burns. When heat is applied too long, blood vessels constrict. When heat is applied too long, blood vessels constrict.  Persons at risk for complications include: Older and fair-skinned persons Older and fair-skinned persons Persons with problems sensing heat and pain Persons with problems sensing heat and pain Persons with dementia Persons with dementia Persons with metal implants Persons with metal implants

7. Slide 7 Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.  Moist and dry heat applications With a moist heat application, water is in contact with the skin. With a moist heat application, water is in contact with the skin. Moist heat has greater and faster effects than dry heat. Moist heat has greater and faster effects than dry heat. Moist heat applications include a hot compress, a hot soak, a sitz bath, and hot packs. Moist heat applications include a hot compress, a hot soak, a sitz bath, and hot packs. Some hot packs and the aquathermia pad (Aqua-K, K- Pad) are dry heat applications. Some hot packs and the aquathermia pad (Aqua-K, K- Pad) are dry heat applications. With a dry heat application, water is not in contact with the skin. With a dry heat application, water is not in contact with the skin. A dry application stays at the desired temperature longer. A dry application stays at the desired temperature longer. Dry heat does not penetrate as deeply as moist heat. Dry heat does not penetrate as deeply as moist heat.

12. Slide 12 Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.  COLD APPLICATIONS  Are often used to treat sprains and fractures  Reduce pain, prevent swelling, and decrease circulation and bleeding  Cool the body when fever is present  Have the opposite effect of heat  Are useful right after an injury  Have a numbing effect on the skin This helps reduce or relieve pain in the part. This helps reduce or relieve pain in the part.  Complications include pain, burns, blisters, and poor circulation. When cold is applied for a long time, blood vessels dilate. When cold is applied for a long time, blood vessels dilate.

14. Slide 14 Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.  Persons at risk for complications include: Older and fair-skinned persons Older and fair-skinned persons Persons with sensory impairments Persons with sensory impairments Persons with dementia Persons with dementia  Moist cold applications: Penetrate deeper than dry ones Penetrate deeper than dry ones Are not as cold as dry applications Are not as cold as dry applications Include cold compresses and cold packs Include cold compresses and cold packs  Dry cold applications include: Ice bags, ice collars, and ice gloves Ice bags, ice collars, and ice gloves  Cold packs can be moist or dry applications.

16. Slide 16 Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.  COOLING AND WARMING BLANKET  Hyperthermia is a body temperature that is much higher than the person’s normal range. Lowering the person’s body temperature is necessary. Lowering the person’s body temperature is necessary.  Vital signs are checked often to prevent rapid or excess cooling.  Hypothermia is a very low body temperature. A warming blanket is like a cooling blanket except warm settings are used. A warming blanket is like a cooling blanket except warm settings are used.  Vital signs are checked often to prevent rapid or excess warming.

21. Slide 21 Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.  QUALITY OF LIFE  To promote quality of life: Try to understand the person’s concern. Try to understand the person’s concern. Refer questions to the nurse. Refer questions to the nurse. Remember the right to personal choice. Remember the right to personal choice. Remember to explain procedures to residents. Remember to explain procedures to residents. Protect the right to privacy. Protect the right to privacy. Provide a safe, comfortable setting. Provide a safe, comfortable setting.