2/23/14

Care of Patient with Fever

This includes sponging of the skin with alcohol or cool water for reducing temperature

Solution: Tepid (luck – warm) water

Alcohol
• Part of alcohol to 3 parts of Luke warm H2O remove patient’s gown
• Take the patient temperature, sponge the body using the wash cloth alternately, sponge each part 2-3 min. changing the was cloth
• Heat loss is by conduction or vaporization
• Check pulse frequently and report any change

Local Application of Heat and Cold
Heat and cold are applied to the body for local and systemic effects

Heat Application
Purpose
1. To relieve pain and muscles spasm – by relaxing muscles
- Increase blood flow to the area
2. To relieve swelling (facilitate wound healing)
- To relieve inflammation and congestion

Heat
• Increases the action of phagocytic cells that ingest
  moisture and other foreign material
• Increases the removal of waste products or infection
  metabolic process

3. To relieve chilling and give comfort Heat can be applied in both dry and moist forms

Dry Heat :- is applied locally, for heat conduction
• By means of a hot water bottle
Moist heat – can be provided, through conduction
• By compression or sitz bath

Cold Application
Purpose
• To relieve pain: cold decrease prostaglandin's, which intensify the sensitivity of pain receptors, and other substances at the site of injury by inhibiting the inflammatory processes

• To reduce swelling and inflammation: by decreasing the blood flow to the area (vasoconstriction effect)

• Reduce raised body temperature due to fever Cold can be applied in moist (cold compress 18-27 c) and dry form (ice pack (bag) <15 oc)
Systemic effects of cold – extensive cold application can increase blood pressure
Systemic effects of Hot – produce a drop in blood pressure – excessive peripheral vasodilatation

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