護理師指導病人使用熱敷療法緩解肌肉疼痛。下列指導何者正確？
A nurse is teaching a client about heat therapy for muscle pain. Which teaching point is accurate?
- ALeave the heat source on for at least 60 minutes將熱源持續使用至少 60 分鐘
- BUse the highest setting for maximum relief使用最高設定以獲得最大緩解
- CApply the heat source directly to the skin將熱源直接敷於皮膚上
- DCheck the skin periodically for signs of redness or blistering✓ 正解定期檢查皮膚是否有紅斑或水泡跡象
熱敷（heat therapy）可促進血管擴張、增加局部血流並緩解肌肉痙攣，但若使用不當極易導致熱損傷（burns）。護理師必須教育病人熱敷的安全性，包括不可直接接觸皮膚（需隔層）、不可過度加熱、以及定時評估皮膚狀況。若皮膚出現發紅、水泡或疼痛加劇，應立即停止使用。熱敷時間一般以 15-30 分鐘為限，過久反而會導致組織受損或反射性血管收縮。
Heat therapy promotes vasodilation, increases local blood flow, and relieves muscle spasm, but improper use can readily lead to burns. The nurse must educate the client about the safe use of heat therapy, including avoiding direct contact with the skin (a barrier must be placed in between), avoiding excessive heat, and regularly assessing the skin. If the skin becomes red, blisters appear, or pain increases, use must be stopped immediately. Heat therapy should generally be limited to 15-30 minutes; prolonged application can instead cause tissue damage or reflex vasoconstriction.