When giving a hot soak treatment, what is most important to ensure?
Soak only the affected area.
Position the patient comfortably.
Monitor the temperature of the water.
Check the patient’s skin integrity.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
When administering a hot soak treatment, it is crucial to soak only the affected area to provide targeted heat therapy. This localized approach helps to increase blood flow, reduce pain, and promote healing in the specific area that requires treatment. Soaking only the affected area also minimizes the risk of overheating and potential burns to other parts of the body.
Choice B rationale
While positioning the patient comfortably is important for any treatment, it is not the most critical aspect of a hot soak treatment. Comfort should always be considered, but the primary goal of the hot soak is to apply heat to the affected area to aid in healing. Therefore, ensuring that only the affected area is soaked takes precedence over general patient comfort in this context.
Choice C rationale
Monitoring the temperature of the water is the most important aspect of a hot soak treatment. The water must be warm enough to be therapeutic but not so hot as to cause burns or discomfort. This ensures the treatment is both safe and effective1.
Choice D rationale
Checking the patient’s skin integrity is important, especially if the patient has a condition that affects skin sensitivity, such as diabetes. However, the immediate concern during a hot soak treatment is to monitor the temperature to prevent injury.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Pointing the device away while opening it is a safe practice to prevent contamination and accidental exposure to bodily fluids.
Choice B rationale
Not touching the drainage spout with the hand is correct as it prevents contamination of the spout, which could lead to infection.
Choice C rationale
Compressing the device before closing it is part of the proper procedure to re-establish the vacuum within the drain, which is necessary for it to function correctly.
Choice D rationale
Using one alcohol wipe to clean both the spout and the plug is incorrect because each should be cleaned with a separate sterile wipe to prevent cross-contamination and maintain sterility.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Preparing a discard bag next to the wound is a practical step in the process, but it is not the most critical action to prevent infection.
Choice B rationale
Remaining very still during the procedure is important, but it does not directly relate to maintaining the sterility of the dressing change.
Choice C rationale
Restraining from moving the patient is not typically necessary unless the patient is at risk of causing harm to themselves or disrupting the procedure.
Choice D rationale
Changing gloves after removing the old dressing is crucial to maintain sterility. The old dressing may be contaminated, and fresh gloves reduce the risk of introducing bacteria to the clean wound.
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