The nurse includes the addition of ice sitz baths for the postpartum patient. Which assessment ...

ANS: A
Sitz baths may be offered two to four times a day to women with episiotomies, painful hemorrhoids, or perineal edema. Sitz baths provide continuous circulation of water and cleanse and comfort the traumatized perineum. Cool water reduces pain caused by edema and may be most effective within the first 24 hours. Ice can be added to cool the water to a comfortable level as the woman sits in it. Approximation of the edges of a wound facilitate wound healing. The purpose of the cold sitz bath is to decrease the edema secondary to tissue trauma.