Basic Care and ComfortQuestion 2315 of 2368
The nurse teaches a client about applying a cool compress to an injured area for pain relief. Which instruction is correct?
- Apply it until the skin feels numb
- Apply it for no longer than 20 minutes
- Apply it for up to 60 minutes at a time
- Apply it directly over a medication patch
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Correct answer: Apply it for no longer than 20 minutes
Cold reduces blood flow and numbs nerve sensations, and should be used for no longer than 20 minutes.
Source: Nursing Fundamentals, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2024), Comfort: Nonpharmacological Interventions. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Practice the topic "Basic Care and Comfort"Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026