Download 21.3 Administering Heat/Cold Applications

21.3 Administering
Heat/Cold
Applications
Cold Applications
 Cold
Applications (Cryotherapy)
are administered to relieve pain,
reduce swelling, reduce body
temperature, and control bleeding.
Types of Cold Applications
Moist Cold: More penetrating than dry
cold and examples include: Cold
Compresses, Packs, and Soaks
 Dry Cold: Used Mainly to reduce body
temperature and examples include: Ice
Bags, Ice Collars, and Hypothermia
Blankets

Cold Applications
 Cause
Vasoconstriction: Causes the
blood vessels to shrink and decreases
the blood flow. Swelling decreases
because fewer fluids are present.
 The cold also causes a numbing effect,
which will decrease local pain
HEAT Application
 (Thermotherapy)
is used to relieve
pain, increase drainage from an
infected area, stimulate healing,
increase circulation, combat
infection, relieve muscle spasms,
and increase mobility before
exercises
Moist Heat
 Effective
in relieving pain in deeper
tissues than are dry heat application
 Examples are Sitz Bath, Hot Soaks,
Compresses, Hydrocollator Packs, and
Paraffin Wax Treatments
Sitz Bath
 Used
to provide moist heat to the
perineal area and rectal area.
 It is used Post-Partum and after rectal
surgery to promote healing and
provide comfort
 Usually a patient sits on a pan of
warm water over a toilet and tubing
irrigates the effected area
Hydrocollator Packs





Gel filled packs which are warmed up to 150170 degrees
Maintains heat for 30-40 minutes
Can be contoured to fit smoothly over the
various body parts
Must be covered and do not allow direct skin
contact
Used Prior to ROM
Paraffin Wax Treatments



Used most often with patients that have Chronic
joint disease, such as arthritis, or sometimes
prior to ROM exercises
Paraffin Wax is mixed with Mineral Oil and
melted
The body part is dipped in the wax four to five
times creating a sealing of heat and left in place
for 20-30 minutes
Dry Heat
 Examples
include Warm Water
Bags, Heating Pads, Aquamatic
Pads or Aquathermia pads, and
Heat Lamps
Vasodilation
Causes the blood vessels to enlarge and
dilate.
 More blood comes to the area, therefore
allowing more oxygen and nutrients to
enter the area for healing.
 Heat and Vasodilation can ease pain by
allowing the blood to carry away fluids that
cause inflammation and pain

Precautions with Heat/Cold
Therapy
 Check
the Patient Frequently
 Color of the Skin and any Bleeding
 The Young and the Old
 Metal Objects should be removed
 Always observe Standard Precautions
with seeping or oozing wounds