It is the continuous biphasic interrupted flow of charged particles ceasing for at least 1 second, which may result in a net charge

It is biphasic or monophasic interrupted flow of charged particles ceasing for at least 1 second, which may result in a net charge

It is biphasic or monophasic uninterrupted flow of charged particles ceasing for at least 1 second, resulting in a net charge

It is the continuous monophasic interrupted flow of charged particles ceasing for at least 1 second, resulting in no net charge

The pulse duration

The intensity

The polarity

The frequency

Ease of application

Cost to the patient

Possibility of cross-contamination

Decreased impedance

Use sandpaper to rough up the patient’s skin

Clean the patient’s skin with a lotion-based cleanser

Moisten the electrodes with water

Replace the electrodes for each application

Inspection of the lead wires

Inspection of the electrodes

Inspection of the power cord

Confirm possession of electrical tape

Quadripolar with two bifurcated channels crossing the muscle

Monopolar with an active and dispersive electrode that is more than twice the size of the active electrode

Monopolar with a dispersive and active electrode that is more than twice the size of the dispersive electrode

Bipolar with one electrode over the motor point of the muscle

One of the electrodes might have dried out and need to be re-hydrated

One of the lead wires might have become disconnected and need to be re-connected

One of the electrodes might have become detached from the lead wire and needs to be reconnected

One of the lead wires might have a break in its continuity and needs to be replaced

Frequency

Pulse duration

Intensity

On/off times

Portability

Potential output intensity

Flexibility within pulse duration settings

Flexibility within on/off time settings

Potential output intensity

Flexibility within pulse duration settings up to continuous

Flexibility within on-off time settings

A polarity setting that is adjustable

She’s fatigued and needs to rest before resuming the activity

She’s feeling the effects of the electrode drying out and it needs to be rehydrated to reduce the impedance

She’s faking it. If she feels something you wouldn’t be using NMES to facilitate a muscle contraction.

The intensity needs to be higher. What she is reporting is the first sensation just before the appropriate level is perceived by the patient.

Let me know when you start to feel something. I’ve supported your leg so that it is elevated above your heart, which is how you should rest it whenever possible.

Once you have started to feel something, I will be increasing the intensity a little higher so that we can start to see a muscle contraction. Work with that. It will only be on for a couple of seconds, but it will help pump some of the fluid back out of the area.

Let me know when you start to feel something. Once you have started to feel something, I will be decreasing the intensity a little so that it’s not so strong. I’ve supported your leg so that it is elevated above your heart, which is how you should rest it whenever possible.

This should feel comfortable, but I also need to see a contraction of the muscle. It will be off and on, and I would like you to work with it.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)

Interferential current therapy (IFC)

High volt pulsed current (HVPC)

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

Injured tissue produces an electrical current that is different from the surrounding current potentials

Tissues become injured when electrical stimulation is applied and produce a current of injury that can be measured

Matching the action potential of the current of injured tissues can balance and heal that tissue

Using the opposite action potential of the current of injury for an injured area will promote tissue healing

There is none; the tissue will not heal unless it is immobilized

Alignment of the collagen fibers will be based upon function if mobility is permitted during the remodeling phase

Tissue repair will be enhanced as a result of constant re-injury and repair that will be caused by motions taking place throughout the injured area

Angiogenesis will not occur unless motion accompanies healing

Placement of the negative electrode over the wound to attract the positively charged neutrophils and macrophages to promote autolysis

Placement of the negative electrode over the wound to attract the negatively charged neutrophils and macrophages to promote autolysis

Placement of the positive electrode over the wound to attract the positively charged neutrophils and macrophages to promote autolysis

Placement of the positive electrode over the wound to attract the negatively charged neutrophils and macrophages to promote autolysis

Use a periwound technique with electrodes placed adjacent to the wound bed on intact skin

Use a direct technique with electrodes placed adjacent to the wound bed on intact skin

Use a periwound technique with the active electrode placed on the wound bed, with dispersive electrode located 15 to 20 cm distant to the wound

Use a direct technique with the active electrode placed on the wound bed, with dispersive electrode located 15 to 20 cm distant to the wound

There is no difference

Pain management is what medications do and pain relief is what occurs through the use of physical therapy

Both pain relief and pain management can be accomplished with physical agents but one is managed by the patient with a portable device

Pain management is temporary and pain relief is constant

Clinical electrical stimulation can be used in combination with manual techniques so that the patient feels no discomfort during therapy

Clinical electrical stimulation units are battery operated and offer more power output potential than portable units for sustained benefit

Clinical electrical stimulation units are more expensive than portable units, which means that the reimbursement from insurance carriers would be higher for the same service billed to the patient

Portable electrical stimulators are the most convenient form of electrical stimulation for use in the clinic and would save clinicians money because they would not need to purchase clinical models

Sites that exhibit an increased resistance to the flow of electrical current

Acupuncture points in the area surrounding the treatment area and referral area of pain

Motor points in the treatment area so that a strong muscle contraction can easily be generated in the painful region

Trigger points in the treatment area

The name of the electrical stimulator

The location of the electrodes and general setup

The treatment goal and amount of time for the application

The patient’s pre- and post-treatment pain ratings

Two channels from one stimulator are crossed over the treatment area and the intensity is adjusted to the patient’s tolerance

Two channels from separate generators within one stimulator that produces high frequencies in the thousands are crossed over the treatment area and the intensity is adjusted to the patient’s tolerance

Two channels from a TENS unit are crossed over the treatment area and the intensity is adjusted to the patient’s tolerance

Two channels from one stimulator are crossed over the treatment area and the intensity is adjusted to just above the patient’s tolerance

There is no advantage to IFC

IFC is billable at a higher rate than other forms of electrical stimulation

IFC is purported to have a greater depth of penetration than other forms of electrical stimulation

IFC is less comfortable than other forms of electrical stimulation

A motor response

Pain reduction

Muscle guarding reduction

None of the above, since they all could be accomplished with IFC

Where the electrodes are placed is irrelevant as long as the channels are crossed over the tissue

As long as areas that have decreased skin resistance are used as electrode placement sites and the channels are crossed, that’s all that matters

The electrode placement sites must be motor points for the IFC to be effective

Each channel must be placed over segmentally related electrode placement sites for the stimulation to be effective

It means that one channel can be used but there will be no greater depth of the current

It means that two channels are still needed but they do not need to be crossed

It means that the stimulator is an IFC device and nothing more

It means that Wedensky Inhibition can be caused with the selection of a pre-modulated channel