Chapter 12 - Heat And Cold Applications

Front 1

Thermotherapy or Diathermy

Back 1

Heat treatments. Use heat later after an injury. Don’t use heat if bleeding or edema is present.

Front 2

Cryotherapy

Back 2

Cold treatments that treat musculoskeletal conditions. Apply immediately after an injury.

Front 3

Localized Application

Back 3

Delivers heat or cold to a specific area.

Front 4

Generalized Application

Back 4

Delivers heat or cold to the entire body.

Front 5

Dilates

Back 5

Enlarges blood vessels, bringing oxygen and nutrients to the area.

Front 6

Constricts

Back 6

Blood vessels become smaller.

Front 7

Dry Heat Treatment

Back 7

Penetrates the tissue to a depth of 1 centimeter.

Front 8

Hot Packs

Back 8

Normal temp is 105 degrees. The internal should never reach 110 degrees.

Front 9

Chemical Hot Packs

Back 9

Activated by striking it. Feels very warm when you first strike it.

Front 10

Warmed Blankets

Back 10

When a patient is cold give them a warm blanket.

Front 11

Moist Heat Treatment

Back 11

Penetrates deeper than dry heat. Less drying to the skin, produces less perspiration. Moist heat also softens the skin, making it easier to eliminate crusts and exudates.

Front 12

Warm Soaks

Back 12

Immersing part of the patient’s body in water. Should not last longer than 20 minutes. The water temp shouldn’t exceed 105 degrees.

Front 13

Water Temp

Back 13

Should not exceed 120 degrees. Most comfortable temp is 95 to 105 degrees.

Front 14

Water Compresses

Back 14

Are soaks used for treating small areas.

Front 15

Aquathermia Pad

Back 15

Also called K-Pad, or Aquamatic K-Pad. the temp of unit is 95 to 100 degrees. A plastic pad with coils on the inside used for heating and cooling.

Front 16

Hydrocollator

Back 16

Rectangular tank containing very hot water. Maintain temperature in the tank between 160 to 166 degrees.

Front 17

Moist Hot Packs

Back 17

Usually contain silicate gel in a cotton bag. Applied for 10 to 20 minutes.

Front 18

Cleaning Hot Packs

Back 18

Hand wash packs weekly, or according to facility policy, in a solution of 25 % vinegar and 75% water. Rinse well. Disinfect with antimicrobial solution, according to facility policies. NEVER use a chlorine-based product.

Front 19

Hydrotherapy

Back 19

Water therapy.

Front 20

Hydromassage

Back 20

Range of motion in a whirlpool.

Front 21

Hot

Back 21

100 to 110 degrees

Front 22

Warm

Back 22

95 to 105 degrees

Front 23

Tepid

Back 23

80 to 93 degrees

Front 24

Cool

Back 24

65 to 80 degree

Front 25

Cold

Back 25

45 to 60 degrees

Front 26

Therapeutic Baths and Soaks

Back 26

Special products such as colloidal oatmeal are used. This is very finely ground and pulverized. It relieves irritation, reduces itching, moisturize, soften, and protect the skin. Tepid (lukewarm) is used in some cases.

Front 27

Sitz Bath

Back 27

Usually done to relieve discomfort following childbirth, perineal surgery, or rectal surgery.

Front 28

Cold Applications

Back 28

Used to relieve pain. Cold slows and inhibits circulation and tissue metabolism, slows bleeding, reduces drainage and formation of pus, relieves congestion in blood vessels, slows bacterial activity, and reduces body temp.

Front 29

Warm and Cool Eye Compresses

Back 29

Apply a warm and cool soak to the eyelids if you have dry, swollen, or itchy eyes.

Front 30

Hypothermia

Back 30

Lowering of core body temp to 95 degrees or below. Mild hypothermia is 93 to 95. Moderate hypothermia is 86 to 93. Severe hypothermia is less than 86.

Front 31

Primary Hypothermia

Back 31

Occurs as a result of overwhelming cold stress.

Front 32

Secondary Hypothermia

Back 32

Acute conditions and severe such as shock and sepsis. Males are higher at risk than females. Nonwhite persons may have a higher risk.

Front 33

Rectal Thermometer

Back 33

77 to 104 degrees

Front 34

Perioperative Hypothermia

Back 34

Develops in a operative room.

Front 35

Hyperpyrexia (Hyperthermia)

Back 35

Abnormally high body temperature.

Front 36

Heat Stroke (Sunstroke)

Back 36

Very serious condition suggesting a profound disruption of internal mechanisms that control heat in the body. It is caused by extended exposure to heat, especially when there is little air movement.

Front 37

Hypothermia-hyperthermia Blanket

Back 37

Full-size aquathermia pad, similar to a K-Pad. It is used to raise, lower, or maintain the patient’s temp. It is commonly used to lower the body temp in patients with fever.