Question

A patient is diagnosed with a sprain to her right ankle after a fall. The patient asks the nurse about using ice on her injured ankle. The nurse should tell the patient that:

A) ice is not recommended for use on the sprain because it would inhibit the inflammatory response.
B) ice should be applied for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours over the next 1 to 2 days.
C) she should use ice only when the ankle hurts.
D) she should wrap an ice pack around the injured ankle for the next 24 to 48 hours.

Answer 1

The nurse should advise the patient to apply ice to the injured ankle for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, repeating every 2 to 3 hours for the next 1 to 2 days as part of the RICE treatment protocol.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should inform the patient that ice should be applied for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours over the next 1 to 2 days. This recommendation is part of the RICE technique, which consists of Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation, commonly used to treat ankle sprains. Ice helps in reducing swelling and pain by constricting blood vessels and decreasing circulation to the injured area. The application of ice helps to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation in the sprained ankle. It is an important part of the RICE technique (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) commonly used to manage sprains.

However, ice should not be applied continuously as too much cold can cause further damage to the tissue. Instead, intermittent application provides the therapeutic benefits without the risk of frostbite or damage to the skin and underlying tissues. It's important to wrap the ice in a towel or use an ice pack to protect the skin.