Question

A client's burn wounds are being cleaned twice a day in a hydrotherapy tub. Which intervention should be included in the plan of care before a hydrotherapy treatment is initiated?

A. Limit food and fluids 45 minutes before therapy to prevent nausea and vomiting.

B. Increase the IV flow rate to offset fluids lost through the therapy.

C. Apply a topical antibiotic cream to burns to prevent infection.

D. Administer pain medication 30 minutes before therapy to help manage pain.

Answer 1

The best intervention before hydrotherapy for burn wounds is to administer pain medication 30 minutes prior to help manage the patient's pain. So, the correct option is D. Administer pain medication 30 minutes before therapy to help manage pain.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question concerns the care of a client undergoing hydrotherapy treatment for burn wounds and asks which intervention should be included in their plan of care.

Among the options provided, the most appropriate intervention before initiating hydrotherapy treatment for a patient with burn wounds is to administer pain medication 30 minutes before therapy to help manage pain.

This is because cleaning burn wounds can be extremely painful.

Other interventions such as limiting food and fluids may be relevant to prevent nausea and vomiting, but pain management is critical for this procedure.

IV flow rate adjustments and topical antibiotics might be part of the overall treatment plan but are not specified as a pre-hydrotherapy intervention.

Therefore, the correct option is D. Administer pain medication 30 minutes before therapy to help manage pain.