The health care provider has ordered heat packs to the lower back of a client with chronic lower back muscle strain. Which nursing intervention has the greatest priority for this client?
1. Frequent assessment of the temperature of the hot pack
2. Placement of a plastic barrier over the pack to allow for better penetration
3. Frequent skin assessment to ensure that the heat is being applied to the correct area
4. Having the client increase his or her fluid intake
Correct Answer: 3
Frequent skin assessments are performed to ensure that the heat is being applied to the correct area and that the treatment is working. This is the priority for this client. Although it is important to assess the temperature of the hot pack and to place a plastic barrier over the pack to allow for better penetration, these are not priorities for this client. Having the client increase his or her fluid intake is not a treatment for a client with lower back pain
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