Heat and Cold Applications
Using an Aquamatic or Aquathermia Pad
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Purpose
- Heat applications can be applied to almost any body part. They are often used for musculoskeletal injuries or problems (sprains, arthritis). They cause blood vessels to dilate (expand or open wider). Heat relieves pain, relaxes muscles, promotes healing, reduces tissue swelling, and decreases joint stiffness.
- Heat applications may be moist (water is in contact with the skin) or dry (water is not in contact with the skin). Aquamatic and aquathermia (Aqua-K, K-Pad) pads are dry heat applications. They are electrical devices. These heating pads have fluid-filled tubes or coils that circulate warm water through the pads.
- Water conducts heat. Moist heat has greater and faster effects than dry heat. Heat penetrates deeper with a moist application. To prevent injury, moist heat applications have lower temperatures than dry heat applications.
- Follow the rules for applying heat:
- Know how to use the equipment. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Do not apply very hot (above 106˚F [41.1˚C]) applications.
- Ask the nurse what the temperature should be.
- Know the exact site of the application. Have the nurse show you the site.
- Cover dry heat applications before applying them.
- Provide for privacy. Expose only the body part involved.
- Maintain comfort and body alignment during the procedure.
- Observe the skin every 5 minutes for signs of complications.
- Do not let the person change the temperature of the application.
- Know how long to leave the application in place—up to 15 to 20 minutes.
- Follow the rules for electrical safety when using electrical appliances to apply heat.
- Place the call light within the person’s reach.
- Complete a safety check before leaving the room.
Equipment
Roll cursor over items to see labels. For the purposes of clearly depicting the equipment, a barrier is not shown in this photo. When providing care, a barrier should always be placed on the surface before placing the equipment.
Aquathermia pad
Distilled water
Tape
Bath blanket
Aquathermia heating unit
PrintableDelegation
- Follow delegation guidelines. Before using an aquamatic or aquathermia pad, obtain this information from the nurse and care plan:
- The type of application—aquamatic or aquathermia pad
- How to cover the application
- What temperature to use
- The application site
- How long to leave the application in place
- What observations to report and record
- When to report observations
- What patient or resident concerns to report at once
Preparation
- Observe quality-of-life measures.
- Review the information under Delegation and Safety and Comfort.
- Practice hand hygiene.
- Collect equipment.
- Identify the person. Check the ID bracelet against the assignment sheet. Also call the person by name.
Safety
- Check the person every 5 minutes during aquamatic or aquathermia pad application.
- Follow electrical safety precautions.
- Check the device for damage or flaws.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Place the heating unit on an even, uncluttered surface so it will not be knocked over.
- Make sure the hoses do not have kinks or bubbles. Water must flow freely.
- Use a flannel cover to insulate the pad. It absorbs perspiration at the application site. (Some agencies use towels or pillowcases.)
- Secure the pad in place with ties, tape, or rolled gauze. Do not use pins. They can puncture the pad and cause leaks.
- Do not place the pad under the person or under a body part. This prevents the escape of heat. Burns can result if heat cannot escape.
- Give the key used to set the temperature to the nurse. This prevents anyone from changing the temperature, which is usually set at 105˚F (40.5˚C) with a key.
- Some persons have medicated patches or ointments applied to the skin. Do not apply heat over such areas.
Comfort
- Use bath blankets or other blankets as needed.
Procedure Video
Audio Description: OFFFollow-up Care
- Provide for comfort.
- Place the call light within reach.
- Raise or lower bed rails. Follow the care plan.
- Unscreen the person.
- Clean and return re-usable items to their proper places. Follow agency policy for soiled linen. Wear gloves for this step.
- Complete a safety check of the room.
- Remove and discard the gloves. Practice hand hygiene.
Reporting/Recording
- Report and record your observations, including:
- Complaints of pain, discomfort, numbness, or burning
- Excessive redness
- Blisters
- Pale, white, or gray skin
- Cyanosis (bluish color)
- Shivering
- Time, site, and length of application
Review Questions
Select the best answer.
1. What type of application is an aquamatic or aquathermia pad?
CORRECT. Aquamatic and aquathermia pads are dry heat applications. Although they contain fluid-filled tubes or coils, the water is not in contact with the skin.
INCORRECT. Aquamatic and aquathermia pads are dry heat applications. Although they contain fluid-filled tubes or coils, the water is not in contact with the skin.
INCORRECT. Aquamatic and aquathermia pads are dry heat applications. Although they contain fluid-filled tubes or coils, the water is not in contact with the skin.
INCORRECT. Aquamatic and aquathermia pads are dry heat applications. Although they contain fluid-filled tubes or coils, the water is not in contact with the skin.
Select the best answer.
2. When using an aquamatic or aquathermia pad, which safety precaution should you follow?
Wrap the pad in a bath blanket.
Check the device for damage or flaws.- Make sure that you can see bubbling in the hoses.
- Place the heating unit so that it is lower than the pad.
INCORRECT. Because aquamatic and aquathermia pads are electrical devices, you should check them for damage or flaws before using them and should follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
CORRECT. Because aquamatic and aquathermia pads are electrical devices, you should check them for damage or flaws before using them and should follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
INCORRECT. Because aquamatic and aquathermia pads are electrical devices, you should check them for damage or flaws before using them and should follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
INCORRECT. Because aquamatic and aquathermia pads are electrical devices, you should check them for damage or flaws before using them and should follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Select the best answer.
3. For an aquamatic or aquathermia pad, what temperature is usually used?
INCORRECT. For an aquamatic or aquathermia pad, set the temperature as the nurse directs—usually 105˚F (40.5˚C).
INCORRECT. For an aquamatic or aquathermia pad, set the temperature as the nurse directs—usually 105˚F (40.5˚C).
CORRECT. For an aquamatic or aquathermia pad, set the temperature as the nurse directs—usually 105˚F (40.5˚C).
INCORRECT. For an aquamatic or aquathermia pad, set the temperature as the nurse directs—usually 105˚F (40.5˚C).
Select the best answer.
4. After using a key to set the temperature on an aquamatic heating unit, what should you do with the key?
- Give the key to the nurse.
- Leave the key in the device.
- Place the key near the call light.
- Put the key in the bedside stand.
CORRECT. After using the key to set the temperature on an aquamatic or aquathermia device, give the key to the nurse. This prevents anyone from changing the temperature.
INCORRECT. After using the key to set the temperature on an aquamatic or aquathermia device, give the key to the nurse. This prevents anyone from changing the temperature.
INCORRECT. After using the key to set the temperature on an aquamatic or aquathermia device, give the key to the nurse. This prevents anyone from changing the temperature.
INCORRECT. After using the key to set the temperature on an aquamatic or aquathermia device, give the key to the nurse. This prevents anyone from changing the temperature.
Select the best answer.
5. Which complications may result from aquamatic or aquathermia pad use?
- Itching and nausea
- Weakness and blurred vision
- Rapid pulse and restlessness
- Excessive redness and shivering
INCORRECT. Complications of aquamatic or aquathermia pad use include pain, discomfort, numbness, tingling, burns, blisters, excessive redness, shivering, and pale, white, gray, or bluish skin.
INCORRECT. Complications of aquamatic or aquathermia pad use include pain, discomfort, numbness, tingling, burns, blisters, excessive redness, shivering, and pale, white, gray, or bluish skin.
INCORRECT. Complications of aquamatic or aquathermia pad use include pain, discomfort, numbness, tingling, burns, blisters, excessive redness, shivering, and pale, white, gray, or bluish skin.
CORRECT. Complications of aquamatic or aquathermia pad use include pain, discomfort, numbness, tingling, burns, blisters, excessive redness, shivering, and pale, white, gray, or bluish skin.
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