Applying Heat and cold Applying Heat and cold

• Applying Heat and cold

Applying Heat and cold applications of heat or cold are frequently ordered and may be carried out in many different ways using variety of equipment. .

Action of heat Vasodilation blood vessels (expand ). When heat applied systemically, the nurse should assess for increased respiratory rate and hypotension. Purpose 1 - To relive pain from muscle spasm and effected joint. 2 - Reduces swelling

3 - Help to eliminate any toxic waste products that have accumulated in the area of swelling. 4 - Heat relaxes muscle. 5 - Promote healing by increase oxygen. 6 - Raise the body temperature.

Types of local heat applying 1 - dry heat Purpose : 1 - Treat muscle sprains. 2 - Mild inflammation. 3 - Pain relief. e. g. heat lamp, hot water bag (105 F ).

2 - moist heat 1 - Moist compresses purpose 1 - To stimulate circulation. 2 - Promote wound drainage. 3 - Apply medication. Solution used : water, mild antiseptic, normal saline.

2 - Warm soak (15 -20 m) solution like above. Centigrade Hot 37 - 40. 5 Very hot 40 – 46

Cold applying Action Vasoconstriction (which decrease the amount of the blood flow to an area. Purposes 1 - Slow or stop bleeding. 2 - Slows bacterial activity in clients with an infection.

3 - Relives pain following some types of surgery, head ache. 4 - Reduces swelling in injured tissues. 5 - Control pain and fluid loss in the initial treatment of burns. Types of cold application 1 - Cold moist compresses. uses: to reduce swelling and inflammation 2 - Ice bag or ice collar uses headache, tonsillectomy

6 - Applied to a sprain, strain, fracture, burn. centigrade Very cold below 13 c Cold 1318 c Cool 18 - 27 c Tepid 27 - 34 c

General procedure for applying heat and cold Assessment 1 - Check order. 2 - Assess patient, including general condition, vital signs, locale site, and response to previous treatment. 3 - Check pts room for equipment. Planning 4 - Wash your hands 5 - Obtain appropriate device.

Implementation 6 - Identify pt. 7 - Explain procedure to pt. 8 - Provide for patients privacy and comfort. 9 - Prepare pt. 10 - Place heating or cooling device over body part. 11 - Cover device with soft cloth cover. 12 - Return to pt in 10 to 15 minutes to assess therapeutic or adverse effects.

13 - Remove heating or cooling device, leaving on no longer than 30 minutes unless ordered. 14 - Examine treated area. 15 - Replace linens or clothing removed, leave pt comfortable. 16 - Wash your hands. Evaluation 17 - Evaluate, using the following criteria : a- Signs and symptoms of the both desirable and undesirable responses to treatment. b- Patient comfort.

Documentation 18 - Document the treatment, including length of time applied and the pts response, on the pts record.

THANKS