The nurse plans care for four clients receiving heat therapy. Which client admission diagnosis presents the highest risk of injury to an extremity?
1. Osteoarthritis
2. Nephrolithiasis
3. Chronic bronchitis
4. Peripheral neuropathy
4
4. The client admitted for a peripheral neuropathy has the highest risk for a heat therapy injury because the client has impaired sensation to the extremities, meaning the client has difficulty sensing pain, heat, pressure, and so forth. This client is more likely to incur tissue damage from heat therapy because the client has impaired ability to sense excessive heat.
1. The client with osteoarthritis can have a slightly higher risk of thermal injury from heat therapy if client mobility is impaired because a self-protective mechanism is withdrawal from noxious sensations such as excessive heat.
2 and 3. The client with nephrolithiasis, kidney stones, and chronic bronchitis can be suitable candidates for heat therapy because these diagnoses are unrelated to peri-pheral perfusion, sensation, or movement.
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