A nurse is applying cold therapy to a client's face following oral surgery. The nurse should identify that which of the following is a therapeutic effect of cold therapy?

A. Oriented to person only indicates the client is confused about time, place, or situation, which increases the risk of injury due to impaired judgment and decreased awareness of surroundings. This cognitive impairment can lead to unsafe behaviors like attempting to get out of bed unassisted or wandering.

B. Hearing acuity intact helps the client receive verbal instructions and alarms, reducing injury risk by facilitating communication and timely responses to safety cues. Good hearing supports situational awareness, which is protective against accidents.

C. Ability to use call light allows the client to summon assistance when needed, helping prevent falls or other injuries. This functional independence in communication is a key safety factor in the acute care setting.

D. Full range of motion in bilateral lower extremities indicates good physical mobility and strength, which decreases injury risk by enabling the client to reposition safely and maintain balance during transfers or ambulation.

A. Increased tissue metabolism: Cold therapy slows tissue metabolism by reducing enzymatic activity and cellular function, which helps minimize inflammation and tissue damage, not increase metabolism.

B. Reduced blood coagulation: Cold therapy typically promotes vasoconstriction, which supports blood clotting rather than reducing coagulation. This effect can help control minor bleeding after surgery.

C. Decreased edema formation: Cold therapy causes vasoconstriction, which limits fluid accumulation in tissues and reduces capillary permeability, leading to less swelling and edema formation at the surgical site.

D. Improved blood flow: Cold causes vasoconstriction, which decreases blood flow temporarily. This helps limit inflammation and edema but does not enhance circulation during application.