Chapter 42: Heat and Cold Applications

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering terms related to heat and cold therapy applications, including physiological effects, specific application types, and temperature-related conditions.

Dilate

To expand or open wider, as blood vessels do when heat is applied.

Constrict

To narrow, as blood vessels do when cold is applied or when heat is applied for too long.

Moist heat application

A procedure where water is in contact with the skin, allowing heat to penetrate deeper and have faster effects than dry heat.

Hot compress

A soft pad applied over a body area as a form of moist heat.

Hot soak

A moist heat application that involves putting a body part into water.

Sitz bath

A moist heat application involving immersing the perineal and rectal areas in warm or hot water.

Hot pack

A moist or dry application involving wrapping a body part; often used to deliver heat.

Dry heat application

An application where water is not in contact with the skin, requiring higher temperatures to achieve effects and staying at the desired temperature longer.

Aquathermia pad

A dry heat application also known as an Aqua-K or K-Pad.

Hyperthermia

A body temperature that is much higher than the person’s normal range, specifically greater than $103^\text{o} F$.

Hypothermia

A very low body temperature, defined as less than $95^\text{o} F$.

Moist cold applications

Cold applications that penetrate deeper and feel warmer than dry ones, such as a cold compress.

Dry cold applications

Cold applications where the source is not in direct contact with water, including ice bags, ice collars, and ice gloves.

Cooling blanket

A device used to lower a person's body temperature, often placed with ice packs on the head, neck, underarms, and groin.

Warming blanket

An application used for treating hypothermia where vital signs must be checked often to prevent rapid or excess warming.