A heating pad is ordered for a patient with a lumbar sprain. The nurse knows that the purpose of the heating pad is to:
Promote healing by increasing the rate of the muscle remodeling process.
Decrease pain by reducing inflammation.
Decrease pain by increasing circulation to a painful area and relaxing tense muscles.
Decrease pain by numbing pain signals.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A: Promote healing by increasing the rate of the muscle remodeling process
While heat can aid in the healing process by improving blood flow and nutrient delivery to the injured area, it does not specifically increase the rate of the muscle remodeling process. Muscle remodeling involves complex cellular activities that are not solely influenced by external heat application.
Choice B: Decrease pain by reducing inflammation
Heat therapy is generally not used to reduce inflammation. In fact, applying heat to an inflamed area can sometimes exacerbate the inflammation. Cold therapy is more effective for reducing inflammation, especially in the initial stages of an injury.
Choice C: Decrease pain by increasing circulation to a painful area and relaxing tense muscles
This is the correct answer. Applying heat to a painful area causes vasodilation, which increases blood flow and helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to the affected tissues. This process helps to relax tense muscles and alleviate pain. Heat therapy is particularly effective for muscle spasms, stiffness, and chronic pain conditions.
Choice D: Decrease pain by numbing pain signals
Heat therapy does not numb pain signals in the same way that cold therapy does. Cold therapy works by numbing the affected area and reducing nerve activity, which helps to alleviate pain. Heat therapy, on the other hand, works by improving circulation and relaxing muscles.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is True
Explanation
Choice A: True
The statement that a patient with alkalosis can develop hyperkalemia is generally incorrect. Alkalosis, which is a condition characterized by a higher-than-normal pH in the blood, typically leads to hypokalemia rather than hyperkalemia. This occurs because alkalosis causes potassium to shift from the extracellular fluid into the cells, reducing the plasma potassium concentration. Therefore, it is uncommon for alkalosis to result in hyperkalemia.
Choice B: False
The correct answer is that a patient with alkalosis is unlikely to develop hyperkalemia. Alkalosis usually causes a decrease in plasma potassium levels, leading to hypokalemia. This is due to the movement of potassium ions into the cells in exchange for hydrogen ions, which are moved out of the cells to help buffer the increased pH. Consequently, the plasma potassium concentration drops, making hyperkalemia an unlikely outcome in the presence of alkalosis.
Correct Answer is ["A","C","D","E"]
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Checking the patient’s temperature daily is crucial for early detection of infections. Fever is often one of the first signs of an infection, including Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs). Regular monitoring of temperature can help identify infections early, allowing for prompt intervention and treatment. This is particularly important for Mr. Johnson, who is at increased risk due to his recent surgery and the presence of a Foley catheter. Normal body temperature ranges from 97°F to 99°F (36.1°C to 37.2°C).
Choice B reason:
Keeping the surgical dressing in place for the first three post-op days is important for protecting the surgical site from contamination and infection. However, it is not necessarily a strategy to decrease the risk of HAIs beyond the initial postoperative period. The dressing should be changed according to the healthcare provider’s instructions to ensure the wound remains clean and dry. While this is a good practice, it is not as directly related to preventing HAIs as the other interventions.
Choice C reason:
Encouraging and assisting with early ambulation is vital for preventing postoperative complications, including HAIs. Early ambulation helps improve circulation, lung function, and gastrointestinal motility, reducing the risk of complications such as pneumonia and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). It also promotes overall recovery and reduces the length of hospital stay, which in turn decreases the risk of HAIs. Mobilizing patients early can help prevent respiratory infections and other complications associated with prolonged bed rest.
Choice D reason:
Assessing the need for the Foley catheter every shift is essential for preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Foley catheters are a common source of HAIs, and their use should be minimized whenever possible. Regular assessment of the necessity of the catheter can help ensure it is removed as soon as it is no longer needed, reducing the risk of infection. The CDC recommends removing catheters as soon as they are no longer necessary to prevent CAUTIs.
Choice E reason:
Teaching and encouraging the use of an incentive spirometer is an effective strategy for preventing postoperative respiratory complications, including pneumonia. Incentive spirometry encourages deep breathing and lung expansion, which helps prevent atelectasis and improves oxygenation. This is particularly important for postoperative patients who are at risk of developing respiratory infections due to immobility and the effects of anesthesia. Proper use of an incentive spirometer can significantly reduce the risk of respiratory HAIs.
Choice F reason:
Monitoring laboratory values is important for overall patient care but is not specifically targeted at preventing HAIs. Laboratory values can provide valuable information about the patient’s health status and help guide treatment decisions. However, they do not directly address the prevention of infections. While monitoring lab values is a good practice, it is not as directly related to HAI prevention as the other interventions listed.
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