In the postanesthesia care unit the nurse applies an ice bag to the patient's leg at the surgical site. Which therapeutic effect does the nurse expect from this treatment?
a. Decreased pain and diaphoresis
b. Decreased bleeding and vasoconstriction
c. Vasodilation and decreased blood flow
d. Increased oxygenation and increased in-flammation
B
The nurse applies cold therapy to the patient's surgical site for regional vasoconstriction, which also decreases bleeding. Diaphoresis commonly occurs with dry heat therapy, but decreased pain can occur with cold or heat therapy, depending on the type of injury. Cold therapy causes vaso-constriction, not vasodilation, and blood flow is decreased as a result of vasoconstriction.
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The nurse's first priority when preparing for the discharge of a preterm infant is to
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