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Two days after the initial injury a sprain accompanied by edema is treated with the application of compresses. The appropriate temp range for the compresses would be:

1. 18.3 to 26.1 celsius

2. 26.6 to 33.33 celsius

3. 34.0 to 36.1 celsius

4. 36.6 to to 40.5 celsius

What do you guys think?

I will post answer tomorrow

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

We are happy to help with homework .....but we will not do it for you. What did you think and why did you come to that conclusion?

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Hello Esme

i was stuck between either 1 or 4.

after checking the answers and doing some research I finally understand now.

heat compress is usually applied 1 or 2 days after injury when the tissues have been healed. It promotes vasodilation and circulation will decrease the edema present.

Sounds like you already know the answer to that ;) Nevertheless thanks for being the only person who wrote something on this post :)

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Specializes in LTC, wound care.

I was always told cold for the first twenty four hours then warmth after that.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Cold Diva.....cute puppy on your page. Is that your dog??? very cute.

Yes, I do know the answer. After 33 going on 34 years of nursing at the bedside in the Emergency Department and critical care, I should know the answer. Part of being a good nurse is knowing how and where to go to get the best answer/treatment for the best patient care.....by yourself as there is not always someone there to ask. It is the development of those critical thinking skills that is so imperative to nursing that even in homework or in test questions the goal is getting you to begin to think like a nurse.

Sometimes it not the message but the delivery that is objectionable. We frequently ask for students to post what they think first before anyone will chime in. The are several of us who frequent the student boards to to help students who show us they have tried to help themselves first.

Cold Compression is a combination of cryotherapy/cold packs and static compression, commonly used for the treatment of pain and inflammation after acute injury or surgical procedures. Cold Compression Therapy combines two of the principles of R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) to reduce pain and swelling from a sports or activity injury to soft tissues and recommended by orthopedic surgeons following surgery. The therapy is especially useful for sprains, strains, pulled muscles and pulled ligaments.

Cryotherapy, the use of ice or cold in a therapeutic setting, has become one of the most common treatments in orthopedic medicine. The primary reason for using cryotherapy in acute injury management is to lower the temperature of the injured tissue, which reduces the tissue's metabolic rate and helps the tissue to survive the period following the injury. It is well documented that metabolic rate decreases by application of cryotherapy.

Static Compression/ace wrap is often used in conjunction with cryotherapy for the care of acute injuries. To date, the primary reason for using compression is to increase external pressure on the tissue to prevent edema formation (swelling). This occurs by hindering fluid loss from the vessels in the injured area, making it more difficult for fluids to accumulate. Ice with compression is significantly colder than ice alone due to improved skin contact and increased tissue density caused by extended static compression. Tissue reaches its lowest temperature faster and the tissue maintains its cool even after treatment ends.

Therapeutic cold is applied for 5-20 minutes, followed by a rest period of 30 minutes. For the treatment of acute sprains/strains and postoperative care, application of cold is recommended for the first 24-48 hours.

For the treatment of deeper tissues or for prolonged periods of cold application, physician evaluation/prescription is essential to avoid complications. The most useful local therapeutic cold applications include for the management of edema, muscle spasm, bleeding, and traumatic pain. The vasoconstrictive effect of therapeutic cold is beneficial for reducing post traumatic swelling and pain, as well as for reducing hemorrhage into soft tissues.

Therapeutic cold (cryotherapy)

Cryotherapy has the primary effect of cooling tissue.Depending upon the application method and duration of this therapy, the basic physiologic effects include the following:

  • Decreased local metabolism
  • Vasoconstriction
  • Reactive hyperemia
  • Reduced swelling/edema
  • Decreased hemorrhage
  • Reduced muscle efficiency
  • Analgesia secondary to impaired neuromuscular transmission
  • Pain reduction associated with the application of cold relaxes muscle spasm and minimizes upper motor neuron spasticity.
    Medscape: Medscape Access requires registration but it is free, no strings and it is an excellent resource/source for you.

    I wish you the best in school

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