Deck 12: Electrodes and Lead Wires: Materials and Care

Question 1

Why is distilled water an inappropriate choice to hydrate electrodes?

A)It is an appropriate choice and is better than tap water to transmit charge.
B)There are too many free ions in tap water to transmit charge.
C)There are no free ions in distilled water to transmit charge.
D)Electrodes do not need to be hydrated to be conductive.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Which technique for the application of electrodes involves the use of two electrodes from one channel within the target treatment area?

A)Bipolar technique
B)Monopolar technique
C)Quadrapolar technique
D)Criss-cross technique

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Why are there electrodes of different sizes, shapes, and configurations?

A)The same size electrodes are always used for the same application.
B)There are different sizes, shapes, and configurations to fit the needs of the therapeutic application of the electrical stimulation for the patient.
C)The statement is false; electrodes are specific to the device with which they are intended to be used.
D)There are different sizes, shapes, and configurations to increase the inventory of electrodes necessary in the clinical environment.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

What seemingly simple fact must be true for the passing of current through an electrode into the skin via an electrode?

A)The electrodes must be connected.
B)The electrodes must be connected to the patient and a stimulator and have an electrically conductive surface.
C)The electrodes must be the same size and connected to a lead wire and a stimulator.
D)The electrodes must have an electrically conductive surface.

Question 5

Both surfaces of the carbon-impregnated electrodes appear shiny. What might this indicate?

A)That the electrodes are new
B)That the electrodes are self-adhering
C)That the electrodes need to be replaced
D)That the electrodes require the application of a conductive interface prior to use

Question 6

What is the difference between a pin tip lead and a banana tip lead?

A)A banana tip is more common than a pin tip.
B)A pin tip is smaller than a banana tip.
C)A banana tip is smaller than a pin tip.
D)There is no difference; one is an older name.

Question 7

A bifurcator can be added to the end of a lead wire. What is the clinical purpose for the addition of a bifurcator?

A)To split the end of one lead wire into two ends
B)To reduce the current density of the electrode
C)To increase the potential surface area with which one of the ends of the lead can be in contact
D)To decrease the potential treatment area

Question 8

What happens to current density when two electrodes from one channel of an electrical stimulation unit are different sizes?

A)There will be no sensation under the electrodes.
B)There will be a greater concentration of current under the larger electrode.
C)There will be a greater concentration of current under the smaller electrode.
D)It is contraindicated to use different size electrodes on one channel.

Question 9

What is the remedy for restoring a more uniform tingling sensation and decreasing the perception of a "hot spot" under an electrode after electrical stimulation has been applied?

A)Discontinue treatment and inspect the unit.
B)Have the patient make better contact with the electrode that is causing a prickling sensation.
C)Discontinue treatment and set up the system again with new electrodes.
D)Turn off the power to the unit and rehydrate the electrodes.

Question 10

All of the following could cause a patient to not feel electrical stimulation underneath one of the electrodes from a channel of an electrical stimulator except which one?

A)The current density may be too low under one of the electrodes.
B)The skin resistance may be too high under one of the electrodes.
C)The patient may have decreased sensation under one of the electrodes.
D)One of the electrodes has become disconnected from a lead wire.

Question 11

Which technique for the application of electrodes involves a single electrode from a channel, usually smaller in size, placed over the target area called the active electrode?

A)Bipolar technique
B)Monopolar technique
C)Quadrupolar technique
D)Criss-cross technique

Question 12

Current density describes the amount of current concentrated under an electrode and is a measure of the quantity of charged particles moving through a specific cross-sectional area of body tissue. What is the relationship between electrode surface area and total current flow?

A)When the electrodes are small, the current density is high.
B)When the electrodes are large, the current density is high.
C)Current flows more easily in smaller electrodes.
D)There is no relationship between electrode surface area and total current flow.

Question 13

Which technique for the application of electrodes involves the use of electrodes from two channels that are crossed but are usually still in the target treatment area?

A)Bipolar technique
B)Monopolar technique
C)Quadrupolar technique
D)Criss-cross technique

Question 14

Self-adhering single-use or reusable electrodes are composed of flexible conductors that are covered with an electrically conductive interface. When would the use of this type of electrode be advantageous?

A)Whenever strapping electrodes or taping electrodes on a patient is difficult
B)To prevent the risk of cross contamination between patients if the electrodes are used for only one patient
C)Whenever they are more convenient to adhere to the treatment area
D)All of the above

Question 15

What happens to the conductivity of carbon-impregnated electrodes after continued use?

A)They degrade.
B)There is non-uniformity of current delivery.
C)They need to be replaced.
D)All of the above

Question 16

Which technique for the application of electrodes involves electrodes from two or more channels, each lead with two electrodes, with all four of the electrodes placed in the target treatment area?

A)Bipolar technique
B)Monopolar technique
C)Quadrupolar technique
D)Criss-cross technique

Question 17

Which of the following statements would be considered false regarding metal plate electrodes?

A)They are more difficult to apply than carbon-impregnated electrodes.
B)They are more uniformly conductive than self-adhering electrodes.
C)They are more readily available than self-adhering electrodes.
D)They are more easily positioned and more comfortable for the patient than other types of electrodes.

Question 18

What is the difference between percutaneous and transcutaneous electrodes?

A)Percutaneous electrodes are applied to the surface of skin, and transcutaneous electrodes are inserted into the skin.
B)Percutaneous electrodes are inserted into the skin, and transcutaneous electrodes are applied to the surface of the skin.
C)Percutaneous electrodes are surface electrodes applied to the skin, and transcutaneous electrodes are needle electrodes inserted under the surface of the skin.
D)There is no difference between transcutaneous and percutaneous electrodes.

Question 19

What is a potential disadvantage of self-adhering electrodes?

A)Their availability may be limited. If the patient's insurance doesn't cover the use of self-adhering electrodes, this could be a disadvantage.
B)The resistance exhibited by self-adhering electrodes may be too high.
C)They may be too large. The sizes of self-adhering electrodes are limited, which is potentially disadvantageous.
D)The resistance exhibited by self-adhering electrodes may be too low.

Question 20

What must be true before a clinical electrical circuit is to be considered completed with a patient?

A)There must be two electrodes connected to a patient.
B)There must be a source of current.
C)There must be two electrodes from one lead.
D)All of the above