Watts the Worst That Could Happen?
(Safety Screening)
(Safety Screening)
This sensation test is mandatory before applying any form of electrical stimulation on a patient.
What is a sharp/blunt discrimination test?
Patients should expect to feel this sensation when using Conventional/Sensory TENS.
What is tingling/buzzing?
This modality uses 4 electrodes to create a criss-cross pattern in order to target deeper tissues.
What is True IFC?
Unlike the smooth contractions our brains produce, NMES-induced contractions are often described as "jerky" because the machine uses this type of recruitment style.
What is "all or nothing"?
To ensure safety and effective current delivery when using an e-stim modality, you need to check that these are always making full and even contact with the patient's skin.
What are the electrodes (or pads)?
For any modality, you should ask if the patient has ever used it before and if they have had any of these in the past.
What is an adverse reaction?
Low Rate Motor, Brief Intense, and Noxious TENS settings help relieve pain via this primary mechanism.
What is the release of endogenous opioids?
Unlike TENS, IFC does NOT allow you to set this parameter yourself because the "beats" are created by the machine.
What is Pulse Duration?
When using NMES for strengthening, your "off time" should be this many times longer than your "on time" to prevent the muscle from fatiguing too quickly.
What is 3-4 times longer?
If a patient has a metal implant in the treatment area, this is the required set up for applying electrical stimulation.
TRICK QUESTION! (What is nothing?)
During a skin assessment, you notice the patient's skin appears red and hot to the touch. This indicates the patient may have ____
What is an infection?
If you want to achieve only sensory when using TENS you should adjust the pulse duration this way.
What is decrease/lower?
When using Conventional/Sensory IFC the treatment duration should be this long.
What is 10-30 mins?
This parameter is used to gradually increase intensity and cue the patient to contract their muscle along with the machine (usually 2-5 seconds).
What is ramp time?
It is not recommended to combine IFC with heat because of an increased risk of this adverse effect (extra points if you explain why).
What are burns (due to the brain blocking out the "too hot" warning signals)?
Before applying electrical stimulation, you must ask the patient if they have one of these "rhythmic" devices.
What is an implanted electronic device?
This type of TENS should only be applied for 30-60 seconds, otherwise your patient might not want to book another appointment.
What is Noxious TENS?
Your patient should expect to feel this when using Brief Intense IFC.
What is a strong contraction?
To get the best contraction, electrodes should be placed over these specific areas where the nerves enter the muscle.
What are Motor Points?
Your patient is at a higher risk of this adverse effect when you use electrodes that have become dry and are no longer sticky.
What is an electrical burn?
If you know a patient recently had a surgery, you might want to screen them for this life-threatening condition (because we know Soheyl won't).
What is a DVT?
This type of TENS uses a high frequency (>100 Hz) and a long pulse duration (>150 µsec) to achieve long-lasting pain relief.
What is Brief Intense TENS?
To achieve sensory and muscle twitch from Low Rate Motor IFC you should set your beat frequency to this.
What is <10 Hz?
When using NMES, you would typically set the pulse frequency between this range to elicit a proper muscle contraction.
What is 30-50 Hz?
A good clinician should always do this to the skin surface before applying electrodes to ensure the best possible conductivity.
What is cleaning the skin with an alcohol wipe?