The nurse working in the emergency department is preparing heat therapy for one of the patients in the unit. Which one is it most likely to be?
a. Is actively bleeding
b. Has swollen, tender insect bite
c. Has just sprained her ankle
d. Has lower back pain
D
Heat therapy is used to relieve stiffness and discomfort commonly associated with musculoskeletal soreness. Heat causes dilation of the blood vessels and improves delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues. It promotes relaxation and is used to aid in the healing process. Applying heat promotes vasodilation and reduces blood thickness (viscosity) and leaky capillaries, all of which would be harmful to the patient who is actively bleeding. It can lead to a drop in blood pressure. Heat should not be applied to a site with inflammation (insect bite or acute joint injury with swelling) because it can increase edema to the site. A good application for heat therapy is to promote comfort and relaxation to the patient experiencing back pain.
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