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Theory & Practice I > Introduction to Electrotherapy > Flashcards

Introduction to Electrotherapy Flashcards

1
Q

Ohm’s Law

A

V = IR
Voltage = Current x Resistance

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2
Q

Define impedance

A
  • impedance is the resistance of the tissue to the passage of electrical current
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3
Q

What tissues have low impedance

A
  • nerves
  • muscles
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4
Q

What tissues have high impedance

A
  • bones
  • fat
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5
Q

Define cathode

A
  • negative electrode
  • high electron concentration
  • attracts positive ions
  • alkaline reaction
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6
Q

Define anode

A
  • positive electrode
  • low electron concentration
  • attracts negative ions
  • acidic reaction
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7
Q

When does the placement of the cathode and anode matter

A
  • with monophasic/direct current only
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8
Q

Define series circuit

A
  • one pathway is available for travel
  • this is how current enters the body
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9
Q

Define parallel circuit

A
  • two or more routes exist for the current to pass between the two terminals
  • this is how current moves in the body
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10
Q

Is skin a conductor or an insulator/non-conductor

A
  • considered an insulator
  • offers the chief resistance to current flow
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11
Q

Is blood a conductor or an insulator/non-conductor

A
  • considered the best electrical conductor of all tissues
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12
Q

Is muscle a conductor or an insulator/non-conductor

A
  • considered a relatively good conductor
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13
Q

Is fat a conductor or an insulator/non-conductor

A
  • considered a poor conductor
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14
Q

Are tendons a conductor or an insulator/non-conductor

A
  • considered poor conductors
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15
Q

Is bone a conductor or an insulator/non-conductor

A
  • considered the poorest biological conductor
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16
Q

What are the effects of electrical stimulation

A
  • electrical currents exert physiological effects by depolarizing the nerve membranes resulting in production of an action potential
  • electrical currents reverse the electrical gradient of the nerve to create a depolarization
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17
Q

Define amplitude

A
  • lower setting=sensory stimulation
  • higher settings=motor level stimulation
  • provides current to deeper tissues
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18
Q

What parameters have the most impact on how a patient feels & responds to electrical currents

A
  • amplitude
  • pulse duration (pulse width)
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19
Q

Define pulse duration

A
  • the time to complete two phase durations
  • short duration with low amplitude=depolarize sensory nerves
  • long durations are required to stimulate motor nerves
  • very long duration with high amplitude stimulates denervated muscle
20
Q

Define interpulse interval

A
  • the time between the end of one pulse & the start of the next pulse
  • increasing the pulse frequency decreases the interpose interval & vice-versa
21
Q

Define pulse frequency

A
  • indicates the pulse rate or number of pulses per second (Hz)
    -normal physiological contraction is asynchronous firing or motor units while Estim induced=synchronous
22
Q

What pulse frequency will contribute to the different types of contraction

A
  • 1-10pps = twitch contraction
  • > 30 = tetanic contraction
  • 30-70 = non fatiguing tetanic contraction
  • 100-1000 = fatiguing tetanic contraction
23
Q

Define monophasic/direct current

A
  • unidirectional flow of electrons towards positive pole
  • can create a pulse charge
24
Q

Define biphasic/alternating current

A
  • flow of electrons constantly changes direction/reverses polarity
  • most often results in a neutral pulse charge
25
Q

Define pulsed current

A
  • can be monophasic or biphasic
  • contains 3 or more pulses grouped together that are interrupted for short periods of time & repeat regularly
26
Q

Define polyphasic current

A
  • bidirectional current with 3 or more phases in a burst pattern
27
Q

Examples of monophasic/direct current

A
  • iontophoresis
  • wound healing
  • stimulation contraction in denervated muscle
  • microcurrent
28
Q

Example of monophasic/direct current pulsed

A
  • high voltage pulsed current (HVPC) used for tissue healing & acute edema control
29
Q

Examples of biphasic/alternating current

A
  • used for pain control
  • interferential
  • premodulated
  • TENS
  • russian protocol
  • NMES
30
Q

Define Rheobase

A
  • minimum current amplitude at a long duration required to produce an action potential (intensity)
31
Q

Define Chronaxie

A
  • minimum duration (time) it takes to stimulate tissue at twice rheobase intensity (duration)
32
Q

In what order are the different nerve types stimulated on the strength (amplitude) duration (pulse duration) curve from the lowest duration to highest duration

A

1) a-beta sensory
2) motor
3) a-delta sharp pain
4) c-dull pain
5) denervated muscle

33
Q

Define motor point

A
  • area of greatest excitability on the skin surface at which a small amount of electrical current generates a strong muscle response
34
Q

Where can you find the motor point in innervated and denervated muscles

A

Innervated muscle: where motor nerve enters the muscle, over the belly
Denervated muscle: over the muscle distally toward the insertion

35
Q

Define current modulation

A
  • any alteration or any variation of the pulses of various waveforms to limit neural adaptation
36
Q

Define scan

A
  • amplitude modulation (IFC)
  • creates different patterns of amplitude
  • prevents accommodation
37
Q

Define sweep

A
  • frequency modulation (IFC)
  • creates different patterns of frequency
    -prevents accommodation
38
Q

Define burst mode

A
  • a pulse train of individual patterns of waveforms, durations, and/or frequencies that are linked together
  • repeat at regular intervals
39
Q

Characteristics of small electrodes

A
  • high density
  • low current spread
  • more selective & discriminatory=small muscles
40
Q

Characteristics of large electrodes

A
  • less density
  • increased current spread
  • low selectivity & discrimination=large muscles
41
Q

Why is electrode placement important

A
  • closer together electrodes are configured, the more superficial the current travels
  • farther apart the electrodes are, the deeper the current travels
42
Q

Indications for e-stim

A
  • pain relief = TENS
  • reduce edema = monophasic/NMES
  • wound healing = monophasic
  • decrease atrophy, increase strength & endurance = NMES, FES
  • muscle reeducation = NMES, FES
  • improve circulation = monophasic, NMES
  • administer medication = monophasic
  • stimulation of denervated muscle = monophasic
  • fracture healing = monophasic, microcurrent
43
Q

Contraindications for E-stim

A
  • demand cardiac pacemaker or implanted defibrillator
  • unstable arrhythmias (common is a-fib)
  • placement of electrodes over carotid sinus
  • areas where venous or arterial thrombosis or thrombophlebitis is present
  • pregnancy: over or around the abdomen/low back
44
Q

Precautions for E-stim

A
  • cardiac disease
  • patients with impaired mentation or in areas of impaired sensation
  • malignant tumors
  • areas of skin irritation or open wounds
  • adverse events: burns, skill irritation, & pain
45
Q

Basic set-up for E-stim

A
  • position patient comfortably
  • clean body area & electrodes with alcohol or soap & water
  • shave or clip hair prior
  • electrotherapy unit must be plugged into a ground fault interrupter (3 prong cord/outlet)
  • make sure electrode leads are not tangled & inspect integrity
  • make sure all dials are off/at zero

Theory & Practice I (16 decks)

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