DPT 6120 Exam 2 With Complete Solutions
What is electrical stimulation used for? - ANSWER Control/relieve pain
-reduce amount of and dependency on pain med
-provide patient more active role in their pain management
-increase functional movement and mobility with less discomfort
What is the anode for electrical current? - ANSWER Positive side= electron/ion deficient
What is the cathode in electrical current? - ANSWER Negative side= electron/ion rich
What is direct current? - ANSWER Unidirectional flow that results in net flow of charge
under electrodes
What is direct current used for? - ANSWER Iontophoresis, High-Voltage pulse current
What can net charge result in? - ANSWER Tissue irritation
What is alternating current used in? - ANSWER TENs, interferential current, NMES,
Russian Stim
What is alternating current? - ANSWER Constantly changes direction of flow, cancelling
nay net charge under electrodes.
What is a pulse? - ANSWER Any flow of current regardless of whether it crosses
isoelectric line
What is a phase? - ANSWER period of current flow start in one direction to when it stops
or starts flow in opposite direction
What is the interpulse interval? - ANSWER Time between two pulses
What is the use of various frequencies in electrical stimulation? - ANSWER to achieve
desired treatment effects and sensation patient will feel
What does higher frequency mean? - ANSWER Lower impedance and deeper tissue
penetration
What is the on/off time of electrical stimulation? - ANSWER -Allow for rep of contractions
-Each time machine turns on it can be uncomfortable because it will turn on to set
intensity
What does ramp up and ramp down mean in on/off time? - ANSWER Ramp up- slow onset
from 0 to set intensity
,Ramp down- contraction slowly dissipates at end of each on time
What is general rule for current amplitude? - ANSWER Machine should be turned up to
level tolerated by patient.
What are different ways to adjust electrical stimulation for patient tolerance? - ANSWER
-Larger electrodes-decreases current density
-Move electrodes further apart - increased depth of treatment, spreads effects
- increase frequency- decreases heat buildup and increase depth of treatment
- decrease pulse duration
What is biphasic pulse? - ANSWER pulse has 2 phases.
What are common ways to reduce accommodation? - ANSWER Adjust pulse duration,
amplitude, and frequency
What is orthodromic? - ANSWER propagation of impulse along a conduction system in
the direction in normally travels
Motor fibers- proximal to distal
Sensory fibers- distal to proximal
What is antidromic? - ANSWER -Propagation of impulse along a conduction system in
the direction opposite to which it normally travels
-Occurs artificially during electrical stimulation based on location of stimulation on
nerve.
What is monophasic pulse? - ANSWER Pulse has 1 phase
What are contraindications for electrical stimulation? - ANSWER -Cardiac pacemaker,
implantable defibrillator or unstable arrhythmia
-placement of electrodes over carotid sinus
-areas where venous or arterial thrombosis or thrombophlebitis is present
-Pregnancy- over or around the abdomen or low back
*Do not use stimulated muscle contractions for pain control as with TENs or inferential
current when muscle contractions may disrupt healing
What are precautions for electrical stimulation? - ANSWER Cardiac disease
Impaired mentation or sensation
Malignant tumors
, Areas of skin irritation or open wounds
What are similarities between TENS and interferential current? - ANSWER Used for pain
control
Both use alternating current electrical current
Both work via gate control and endogenous opioid release
Both use modulation to reduce accomodation
What are differences between TENS and interferential current? - ANSWER -IFC uses
carrier frequencies and TENs does not
-TENS can use 2 or 4 electrodes, IFC uses 4
-TENS can use any electrode arrangement, IFC requires crisscross
-TENS is cheaper
What is interferential current? - ANSWER Two medium-frequency AC currents
interfering with each other.
Has therapeutic advantage because of deeper stimulation due to higher frequency
What is heterodyne? - ANSWER blending 2 different carrier frequencies that are out of
phase
What should the distance of electrodes be for TENS placement? - ANSWER Width of
electrodes between each electrode
Where should you avoid placing electrodes? - ANSWER Transcranial
Over genitalia
Directly over spinal column
How should interferential electrodes be placed? - ANSWER Crisscross only
Distance between electrodes at least width of electrode
What is conventional current settings for interferential and TENS? - ANSWER -50-80
usec pulse duration
-100-150Hz frequency
-Electrodes surrounding painful area
-Strong but comfortable amplitude
-Treatment can be as little as 15 minutes or up to 24 hours
What is electrical stimulation used for? - ANSWER Control/relieve pain
-reduce amount of and dependency on pain med
-provide patient more active role in their pain management
-increase functional movement and mobility with less discomfort
What is the anode for electrical current? - ANSWER Positive side= electron/ion deficient
What is the cathode in electrical current? - ANSWER Negative side= electron/ion rich
What is direct current? - ANSWER Unidirectional flow that results in net flow of charge
under electrodes
What is direct current used for? - ANSWER Iontophoresis, High-Voltage pulse current
What can net charge result in? - ANSWER Tissue irritation
What is alternating current used in? - ANSWER TENs, interferential current, NMES,
Russian Stim
What is alternating current? - ANSWER Constantly changes direction of flow, cancelling
nay net charge under electrodes.
What is a pulse? - ANSWER Any flow of current regardless of whether it crosses
isoelectric line
What is a phase? - ANSWER period of current flow start in one direction to when it stops
or starts flow in opposite direction
What is the interpulse interval? - ANSWER Time between two pulses
What is the use of various frequencies in electrical stimulation? - ANSWER to achieve
desired treatment effects and sensation patient will feel
What does higher frequency mean? - ANSWER Lower impedance and deeper tissue
penetration
What is the on/off time of electrical stimulation? - ANSWER -Allow for rep of contractions
-Each time machine turns on it can be uncomfortable because it will turn on to set
intensity
What does ramp up and ramp down mean in on/off time? - ANSWER Ramp up- slow onset
from 0 to set intensity
,Ramp down- contraction slowly dissipates at end of each on time
What is general rule for current amplitude? - ANSWER Machine should be turned up to
level tolerated by patient.
What are different ways to adjust electrical stimulation for patient tolerance? - ANSWER
-Larger electrodes-decreases current density
-Move electrodes further apart - increased depth of treatment, spreads effects
- increase frequency- decreases heat buildup and increase depth of treatment
- decrease pulse duration
What is biphasic pulse? - ANSWER pulse has 2 phases.
What are common ways to reduce accommodation? - ANSWER Adjust pulse duration,
amplitude, and frequency
What is orthodromic? - ANSWER propagation of impulse along a conduction system in
the direction in normally travels
Motor fibers- proximal to distal
Sensory fibers- distal to proximal
What is antidromic? - ANSWER -Propagation of impulse along a conduction system in
the direction opposite to which it normally travels
-Occurs artificially during electrical stimulation based on location of stimulation on
nerve.
What is monophasic pulse? - ANSWER Pulse has 1 phase
What are contraindications for electrical stimulation? - ANSWER -Cardiac pacemaker,
implantable defibrillator or unstable arrhythmia
-placement of electrodes over carotid sinus
-areas where venous or arterial thrombosis or thrombophlebitis is present
-Pregnancy- over or around the abdomen or low back
*Do not use stimulated muscle contractions for pain control as with TENs or inferential
current when muscle contractions may disrupt healing
What are precautions for electrical stimulation? - ANSWER Cardiac disease
Impaired mentation or sensation
Malignant tumors
, Areas of skin irritation or open wounds
What are similarities between TENS and interferential current? - ANSWER Used for pain
control
Both use alternating current electrical current
Both work via gate control and endogenous opioid release
Both use modulation to reduce accomodation
What are differences between TENS and interferential current? - ANSWER -IFC uses
carrier frequencies and TENs does not
-TENS can use 2 or 4 electrodes, IFC uses 4
-TENS can use any electrode arrangement, IFC requires crisscross
-TENS is cheaper
What is interferential current? - ANSWER Two medium-frequency AC currents
interfering with each other.
Has therapeutic advantage because of deeper stimulation due to higher frequency
What is heterodyne? - ANSWER blending 2 different carrier frequencies that are out of
phase
What should the distance of electrodes be for TENS placement? - ANSWER Width of
electrodes between each electrode
Where should you avoid placing electrodes? - ANSWER Transcranial
Over genitalia
Directly over spinal column
How should interferential electrodes be placed? - ANSWER Crisscross only
Distance between electrodes at least width of electrode
What is conventional current settings for interferential and TENS? - ANSWER -50-80
usec pulse duration
-100-150Hz frequency
-Electrodes surrounding painful area
-Strong but comfortable amplitude
-Treatment can be as little as 15 minutes or up to 24 hours
