Ch 7 - Physical Agents to Promote Tissue Healing

Question 1

factors affecting the application of heat and cold

Answer 1

age: children and elderly more sensitive
less muscle

location: chest, back abdomen, open wound more sensitive

impaired circulation - peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, CHF

impaired sensation
individual tolerance

observe area for signs of tissue damage
prolonged erythema, paleness, pain, swelling, blisters should be reported to provider

Question 2

how long to apply heat and cold packs?

Answer 2

intervals of 15-30 mins

prolonged application can result in adverse effects (longer than 1 hour)

Question 3

local effects of heat

Answer 3

promote circulation
heat produces dilation or an increase in diameter of blood vessels due to removing excess heat

increased blood supply, tissue metabolism increases

nutrients and oxygen are provided to cells faster
wasters and toxins carried away faster

skin becomes warm and exhibits erythema (reddening of the skin dt dilation)

Question 4

purpose of applying heat

Answer 4

relieves pain, congestion, muscle spasms, inflammation
eg. low back pain, arthritis, menstrual cramping, localized abscesses

promotes muscle relaxation caused by excessive contraction of muscle fibers

edema can be reduced dt increased blood flow to absorb excess fluid to drain to lymphatic system

softens exudate - hard crust removed easier
increases suppuration - process of pus formation, relieve inflammation by breaking down infected tissue

Question 5

local effects of cold

Answer 5

vasoconstriction to prevent heat loss

therefore, decreased blood supply, tissue metabolism decreases, less oxygen used, fewer wastes accumulate

skin cool pale

Question 6

purpose of applying cold

Answer 6

prevent edema
direct trauma - bruise, minor burn, sprain, strain, join injury, fracture

cold limits accumulation of fluid to area, less pressure against pain receptors
controls peripheral bleeding
relieves pain through numbing
suppuration is decreased and inflammation reduced

Question 7

composition of chemical hot pack

Answer 7

calcium chloride crystals and water produces heat

Question 8

composition of chemical cold pack

Answer 8

ammonium nitrate crystals and water produces coldness

Question 9

dry heat

Answer 9

heating pad

chemical hot pack

Question 10

dry heat applications

Answer 10

heating pad

chemical hot pack

Question 11

moist heat applications

Answer 11

hot soak

hot compress

Question 12

dry cold applications

Answer 12

ice bag

chemical cold pack

Question 13

moist cold applications

Answer 13

cold compress

Question 14

Raynaud’s Phenomenon

Answer 14

fingers/toes lack blood flow then blue for a short time

due to vasospasm

Question 15

suppuration

Answer 15

process of pus formation - helps in the relief of inflammation by breaking down infected tissue

Question 16

why should you always place a cold application in a protective covering

Answer 16

could result in a skin burn