Author Question: Following a nurse's explanation of why a warm pack should be applied to an infected hang nail, a ... (Read 37 times)

casperchen82 · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

Following a nurse's explanation of why a warm pack should be applied to an infected hang nail, a patient demonstrates understanding by stating:

1. Heat to the area causes the blood vessels to constrict, concentrating the white blood cells needed to fight infection.
2. If I apply moist heat to the area, it will decrease the metabolism of the germs that are trying to multiply.
3. Applying heat will decrease the blood flow and as a result will increase my body's ability to fight infection.
4. My body's ability to fight off infection will be enhanced by allowing more white blood cells to get to the wound.

Question 2

A patient with congestive heart failure (CHF) presents to the emergency department with muscle spasms in the lower back. Which of the following would not be an appropriate application of heat?

1. Forced-air warming blanket
2. Commercial heat pack
3. Hot compress
4. Heat therapy can never be used safely in a patient with CHF.