Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Hot and Cold Applications
Hot and Cold Applications
Doctors order heat and cold applications to promote healing and comfort. They
also reduce tissue swelling. Heat and cold have opposite effect on the body.
2. The first 24 hrs of an injury apply a cold application after 24 hours you can
apply a heat application.
•Applying a application:
-never apply next to skin (must cover)
-heat or cold applications are applied to the skin no longer
than 20 minutes and checked every 5 minutes.
-application remain on site for 20 minutes and 1 hour off
-moist heat applications penetrates deeper than dry
treatments.
5.
☺cooling and warm blankets are used to treat hyperthermia and hypothermia.
These blankets are electric devices and are made of rubber or plastic with tubes
filled with fluid.
10. Different types to applications:
✓ temp. 95-105
-place waterproof pad over floor or area
-fill basin ½ full
-great for hands, feet and lower arm.
-no longer than 15 to 20 minutes.
-make sure the person’s comfort and body alignment are maintained
during the soak.
•Sitz Bath: involves immersing the perineal and rectal areas in warm water.
Use for rectal & pelvic surgery, hemorrhoids, after child birth.
-Tubes inside the pad are filled with distilled water. Secure the pad in
place with ties, tape or rolled gauze. Do not use pins they will puncture
the pad. Do not place the pad under the person or under a body part.