Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

Question 1

A patient with chronic low back pain reports minimal relief after 20 minutes of conventional TENS. Which next modality is most appropriate according to standard treatment sequencing?

Accepted Answer

Switch to low‑frequency (acupuncture) TENS for the same duration

Answer

Add a second pair of electrodes in a bilateral configuration

Answer

Increase the current amplitude until muscle contraction occurs

Answer

Continue conventional TENS but extend the session to 45 minutes

Question 2

Which peripheral nerve fiber type is primarily targeted by a short‑high‑frequency TENS protocol (200 µs, 60‑120 Hz) to achieve rapid analgesia?

Accepted Answer

Large myelinated A‑beta sensory fibers

Answer

Motor (alpha) fibers causing muscle contraction

Answer

Unmyelinated C fibers

Answer

Small myelinated A‑delta nociceptive fibers

Question 3

During TENS application, a clinician observes that the patient experiences a mild tingling sensation without any visible muscle twitch. Which combination of pulse width and frequency most likely produced this effect?

Accepted Answer

Pulse width 50 µs, frequency 80 Hz

Answer

Pulse width 150 µs, frequency 5 Hz

Answer

Pulse width 100 µs, frequency 2 Hz

Answer

Pulse width 250 µs, frequency 10 Hz

Question 4

A researcher compares two TENS protocols: one that activates the gate‑control mechanism and another that primarily engages the endogenous opioid system. Which statement correctly distinguishes their onset and duration of analgesia?

Accepted Answer

Gate‑control analgesia starts within minutes and lasts a few hours; opioid‑mediated analgesia starts slower and can last many hours.

Answer

Gate‑control analgesia is only effective for acute pain, whereas opioid analgesia works exclusively for chronic pain.

Answer

Both mechanisms produce identical onset times, but opioid analgesia is always shorter in duration.

Answer

Gate‑control analgesia requires high‑intensity currents, while opioid analgesia works only with low‑intensity currents.

Question 5

When placing electrodes for TENS on a patient with localized trigger points, which placement strategy yields the greatest analgesic effect according to the text?

Accepted Answer

Position the electrodes directly over the painful area or as close as possible to it

Answer

Apply the electrodes on a non‑painful region to avoid skin irritation

Answer

Place the electrodes on the corresponding dermatome level opposite to the pain site

Answer

Distribute the electrodes evenly across the entire limb to cover all possible fibers

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

A patient with chronic low back pain reports minimal relief after 20 minutes of conventional TENS. Which next modality is most appropriate according to standard treatment sequencing?

Which peripheral nerve fiber type is primarily targeted by a short‑high‑frequency TENS protocol (200 µs, 60‑120 Hz) to achieve rapid analgesia?

During TENS application, a clinician observes that the patient experiences a mild tingling sensation without any visible muscle twitch. Which combination of pulse width and frequency most likely produced this effect?

A researcher compares two TENS protocols: one that activates the gate‑control mechanism and another that primarily engages the endogenous opioid system. Which statement correctly distinguishes their onset and duration of analgesia?

When placing electrodes for TENS on a patient with localized trigger points, which placement strategy yields the greatest analgesic effect according to the text?

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Which peripheral nerve fiber type is primarily targeted by a short‑high‑frequency TENS protocol (200 µs, 60‑120 Hz) to achieve rapid analgesia?

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starts here.