Therapeutic Modalities and Electrotherapy Flashcards

Phonophoresis differs from standard ultrasound in that it:

Answer: Drives topical medication into deeper tissues using ultrasound energy

Phonophoresis uses ultrasound energy to enhance the transdermal delivery of topical medications such as hydrocortisone or diclofenac into deeper tissues.

A PTA applies a heating agent and notices the patient's skin turns bright red and blistered. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

Answer: Remove the modality, cool the area, and document the adverse event

Blistering indicates a thermal burn; the modality must be removed immediately, the area cooled with room-temperature water, and the adverse event documented and reported.

Which parameter in electrical stimulation determines the duration of each individual pulse?

Answer: Pulse duration (width)

Pulse duration (width), measured in microseconds, determines how long each individual electrical pulse lasts and influences which nerve fibers are recruited.

Shortwave diathermy is most useful for heating which tissue type?

Answer: Deep musculature and joint structures

Shortwave diathermy uses high-frequency electromagnetic energy to heat deep muscle and periarticular tissues to a depth of 3–5 cm.

What is the primary reason a PTA uses a coupling medium (gel) with therapeutic ultrasound?

Answer: To eliminate the air interface between the transducer and skin, preventing reflection

Ultrasound waves reflect off air; coupling gel eliminates the air gap between the transducer and skin, ensuring maximal energy transmission into the tissue.

Which electrical stimulation mode is designed to reduce muscle spasm through reciprocal inhibition?

Answer: Alternating agonist-antagonist stimulation

Alternating stimulation of the agonist and antagonist muscles produces reciprocal inhibition, where contraction of one muscle inhibits the spastic opposing muscle.