mcqs on electrotherapy with answers

⚡ Electrotherapy MCQs (1–100)

1. What is the basic unit of electrical charge?
A) Ampere
B) Volt
C) Coulomb
D) Ohm
Answer: C) Coulomb

2. Which device is primarily used for pain relief using low-frequency current?
A) Ultrasound
B) TENS
C) SWD
D) Iontophoresis
Answer: B) TENS

3. The resistance to current flow is measured in:
A) Ampere
B) Volt
C) Ohm
D) Farad
Answer: C) Ohm

4. What is the frequency range of Interferential Therapy (IFT)?
A) 0–10 Hz
B) 2500–5000 Hz
C) 10000–12000 Hz
D) 1–100 Hz
Answer: B) 2500–5000 Hz

5. Which current is used in Russian stimulation?
A) Galvanic current
B) Medium frequency AC
C) Faradic current
D) High voltage pulsed current
Answer: B) Medium frequency AC

6. Which of the following is NOT an effect of TENS?
A) Pain relief
B) Muscle strengthening
C) Increased circulation
D) Sensory stimulation
Answer: B) Muscle strengthening

7. Which electrode placement is used for Iontophoresis?
A) Bipolar
B) Monopolar
C) Quadripolar
D) Tripolar
Answer: B) Monopolar

8. The therapeutic frequency range for TENS is typically:
A) 1–10 Hz
B) 10–50 Hz
C) 1–150 Hz
D) 200–300 Hz
Answer: C) 1–150 Hz

9. Which current is used to stimulate denervated muscles?
A) TENS
B) Faradic
C) Interrupted DC
D) IFT
Answer: C) Interrupted DC

10. Contraindication for electrotherapy includes all EXCEPT:
A) Pregnancy (abdomen)
B) Epilepsy
C) Open wound
D) Healthy adult skin
Answer: D) Healthy adult skin

11. Which of the following is a physiological effect of high-frequency current?
A) Muscle contraction
B) Pain relief via gate control
C) Deep tissue heating
D) Nerve regeneration
Answer: C) Deep tissue heating

12. TENS works primarily through which pain relief mechanism?
A) Counterirritant theory
B) Gate control theory
C) Placebo effect
D) Tissue regeneration
Answer: B) Gate control theory

13. The typical pulse duration for conventional TENS is:
A) 50–80 µs
B) 150–250 µs
C) 300–500 µs
D) 10–20 µs
Answer: B) 150–250 µs

14. Which current type is suitable for iontophoresis?
A) Alternating current
B) Galvanic current
C) High-frequency AC
D) Interrupted Faradic
Answer: B) Galvanic current

15. What is the ideal current type for stimulating innervated muscles?
A) Galvanic
B) Faradic
C) Interrupted DC
D) Static current
Answer: B) Faradic

16. IFT uses how many medium frequency currents?
A) One
B) Two
C) Three
D) Four
Answer: B) Two

17. The beat frequency in IFT is determined by:
A) The amplitude difference
B) The sum of both frequencies
C) The difference between two medium frequencies
D) The intensity of current
Answer: C) The difference between two medium frequencies

18. Which of the following is NOT a contraindication of TENS?
A) Over carotid sinus
B) Over pacemaker
C) Over fractured bone
D) Over pregnant uterus
Answer: C) Over fractured bone

19. The ideal treatment time for conventional TENS is:
A) 5–10 minutes
B) 10–30 minutes
C) 30–60 minutes
D) 1–2 hours
Answer: B) 10–30 minutes

20. What is the waveform of Russian current stimulation?
A) Continuous DC
B) Sinusoidal burst-modulated AC
C) Rectangular monophasic
D) Triangular biphasic
Answer: B) Sinusoidal burst-modulated AC

21. Electrodes for TENS should be placed:
A) On bony prominences
B) Far from the painful area
C) Over or around the pain site
D) On opposite limbs
Answer: C) Over or around the pain site

22. What is the average carrier frequency used in Russian current?
A) 500 Hz
B) 1000 Hz
C) 2500 Hz
D) 3000 Hz
Answer: C) 2500 Hz

23. Iontophoresis delivers:
A) Ultrasound waves
B) Medication through the skin using electrical current
C) Electrical heat therapy
D) Infrared rays
Answer: B) Medication through the skin using electrical current

24. What is a common complication of incorrect electrode placement?
A) Muscle fatigue
B) Skin burns
C) Improved contraction
D) Vasodilation
Answer: B) Skin burns

25. What type of current is used in high-voltage pulsed stimulation (HVPS)?
A) Low-frequency AC
B) Monophasic twin peak pulsed current
C) Biphasic symmetrical
D) Interferential current
Answer: B) Monophasic twin peak pulsed current

26. The polarity used in iontophoresis depends on:
A) Duration
B) Drug polarity
C) Intensity
D) Skin type
Answer: B) Drug polarity

27. Galvanic current is also known as:
A) AC
B) Pulsed current
C) DC
D) Interferential current
Answer: C) DC

28. The current density is affected by:
A) Frequency only
B) Electrode size and current intensity
C) Patient age
D) Treatment time
Answer: B) Electrode size and current intensity

29. The current that alternates its direction periodically is called:
A) DC
B) AC
C) Interrupted current
D) Pulsed current
Answer: B) AC

30. A tetanic contraction is caused by:
A) Slow DC
B) High-frequency pulsed current
C) Rapid firing of impulses
D) Random pulses
Answer: C) Rapid firing of impulses

31. Duty cycle in electrotherapy refers to:
A) Frequency control
B) Ratio of on time to off time
C) Electrode placement
D) Phase duration
Answer: B) Ratio of on time to off time

32. Which electrotherapy is best for increasing blood circulation?
A) TENS
B) Ultrasound
C) IFT
D) SWD
Answer: C) IFT

33. Pulsed current is most commonly used for:
A) Continuous heating
B) Muscle contraction
C) Cardiac stimulation
D) Laser therapy
Answer: B) Muscle contraction

34. Electrical stimulation can help in:
A) Muscle reeducation
B) Preventing atrophy
C) Reducing pain
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above

35. Electrotherapy should not be applied:
A) Over dry skin
B) Over areas with metal implants
C) Over clean skin
D) Over muscle belly
Answer: B) Over areas with metal implants

36. What determines the depth of current penetration?
A) Electrode size
B) Pulse duration
C) Frequency
D) Voltage
Answer: C) Frequency

37. Spastic muscles should be treated using:
A) Low-frequency stimulation
B) Prolonged heat
C) Rapid, intermittent stimulation
D) Sustained stretch with stimulation
Answer: D) Sustained stretch with stimulation

38. Electrotherapy is LEAST effective in treating:
A) Chronic pain
B) Edema
C) Fracture healing
D) Acute stroke
Answer: D) Acute stroke

39. Which modality uses four electrodes for treatment?
A) TENS
B) IFT
C) EMS
D) Galvanic
Answer: B) IFT

40. The mode of TENS used for chronic pain is:
A) Conventional
B) Acupuncture
C) Burst
D) Modulated
Answer: B) Acupuncture

41. What’s the most common reason patients cannot tolerate electrotherapy?
A) Fear of machines
B) Pain due to high intensity
C) Cost of therapy
D) Long treatment duration
Answer: B) Pain due to high intensity

42. Which of the following is a danger of using electrodes too close together?
A) Overstimulation
B) Reduced depth of current
C) Electric shock
D) Muscle weakness
Answer: B) Reduced depth of current

43. In biofeedback, the purpose is to:
A) Deliver current
B) Monitor electrical activity
C) Increase strength
D) Burn fat
Answer: B) Monitor electrical activity

44. Burst TENS is useful for:
A) Muscle wasting
B) Neuropathic pain
C) Bone healing
D) Muscle spasms
Answer: D) Muscle spasms

45. The pulse frequency for muscle stimulation is typically:
A) 1–5 Hz
B) 10–30 Hz
C) 35–50 Hz
D) 100–120 Hz
Answer: C) 35–50 Hz

46. Which modality is used for facial palsy?
A) IFT
B) Faradic
C) Shortwave Diathermy
D) Laser
Answer: B) Faradic

47. The best electrotherapy for acute inflammation is:
A) Ultrasound
B) IFT
C) Cryotherapy
D) HVPGS
Answer: D) HVPGS (High Voltage Pulsed Galvanic Stimulation)

48. Sensory-level stimulation in TENS is mainly for:
A) Muscle growth
B) Pain relief
C) Spasm reduction
D) Joint mobilization
Answer: B) Pain relief

49. Muscle fatigue during EMS is prevented by adjusting:
A) Pulse duration
B) Frequency
C) On-off ratio
D) Polarity
Answer: C) On-off ratio

50. Skin impedance is highest when:
A) Skin is dry
B) Skin is wet
C) Electrodes are large
D) Pulse is long
Answer: A) Skin is dry

51. Which of the following parameters determines the type of nerve fibers stimulated in electrotherapy?

A) Amplitude
B) Pulse duration
C) Frequency
D) On-off time
Answer: B) Pulse duration

52. A negative polarity in iontophoresis is used to drive:
A) Positive ions
B) Negative ions
C) Neutral substances
D) Water molecules
Answer: B) Negative ions

53. The most appropriate frequency range for muscle strengthening using Russian current is:
A) 1–10 Hz
B) 30–50 Hz
C) 60–90 Hz
D) 100–150 Hz
Answer: B) 30–50 Hz

54. Which current is used for muscle re-education?
A) Galvanic
B) Faradic
C) HVPG
D) IFT
Answer: B) Faradic

55. Faradic type current is:
A) Monophasic
B) Biphasic, asymmetrical, and interrupted
C) Direct
D) Continuous
Answer: B) Biphasic, asymmetrical, and interrupted

56. Which of the following is an indication for IFT?
A) Fracture healing
B) Muscle paralysis
C) Pain relief and swelling
D) Deep burns
Answer: C) Pain relief and swelling

57. Which waveform is used in TENS for neuropathic pain?
A) Continuous DC
B) Sinusoidal
C) Asymmetrical biphasic
D) Monophasic
Answer: C) Asymmetrical biphasic

58. A common use of HVPG is for:
A) Pain relief
B) Spasticity reduction
C) Wound healing
D) Toning muscles
Answer: C) Wound healing

59. For stimulation of denervated muscle, the pulse duration required is:
A) 0.1 ms
B) 0.5 ms
C) 1–10 ms
D) 50 ms
Answer: C) 1–10 ms

60. A contraindication for electrical stimulation includes:
A) Chronic pain
B) Peripheral nerve injury
C) Pacemaker
D) Muscle spasm
Answer: C) Pacemaker

61. The strength-duration curve helps in identifying:
A) Fatigue
B) Denervation
C) Muscle hypertrophy
D) Blood flow
Answer: B) Denervation

62. A rectangular pulse is typically used in:
A) Faradic stimulation
B) Galvanic current
C) Russian current
D) Ultrasound
Answer: A) Faradic stimulation

63. The latency period of a muscle refers to:
A) Time to fatigue
B) Time between stimulus and contraction
C) Time of relaxation
D) Period of recovery
Answer: B) Time between stimulus and contraction

64. Accommodation in nerve response refers to:
A) Immediate reaction to current
B) No response to repeated stimulation
C) Increase in response
D) Tissue healing
Answer: B) No response to repeated stimulation

65. Bipolar electrode placement is ideal for:
A) Iontophoresis
B) Denervated muscles
C) Large muscle groups
D) Trigger points
Answer: C) Large muscle groups

66. TENS is most effective when the skin is:
A) Dry
B) Hairy
C) Clean and slightly moist
D) Inflamed
Answer: C) Clean and slightly moist

67. In acute injuries, which setting is preferable in TENS?
A) High frequency, low intensity
B) Low frequency, high intensity
C) DC current
D) Shortwave diathermy
Answer: A) High frequency, low intensity

68. When using IFT, the most common base frequency is:
A) 100 Hz
B) 2500 Hz
C) 5000 Hz
D) 10000 Hz
Answer: B) 2500 Hz

69. Strength-duration curve is plotted between:
A) Strength and pain
B) Pulse duration and current intensity
C) Frequency and amplitude
D) Time and frequency
Answer: B) Pulse duration and current intensity

70. Which electrotherapy treatment uses drug delivery?
A) TENS
B) Iontophoresis
C) Ultrasound
D) IFT
Answer: B) Iontophoresis

71. Modulation in TENS is used to:
A) Strengthen muscles
B) Prevent adaptation
C) Delay healing
D) Increase impedance
Answer: B) Prevent adaptation

72. The best waveform for stimulating motor nerves is:
A) DC
B) Sine wave
C) Pulsed biphasic
D) Interferential wave
Answer: C) Pulsed biphasic

73. When treating facial palsy, the placement of electrodes is:
A) Symmetrical on arms
B) Over the motor point and nerve trunk
C) On scalp
D) Over cervical spine
Answer: B) Over the motor point and nerve trunk

74. Russian stimulation is mainly used for:
A) Wound healing
B) Muscle strengthening
C) Scar management
D) Analgesia
Answer: B) Muscle strengthening

75. A monophasic waveform:
A) Alternates polarity
B) Has one polarity
C) Is continuous
D) Has no charge
Answer: B) Has one polarity

76. The most suitable current for muscle spasm is:
A) High frequency
B) Faradic
C) IFT
D) TENS (burst mode)
Answer: D) TENS (burst mode)

77. Duration of application for IFT is usually:
A) 5 minutes
B) 10 minutes
C) 20 minutes
D) 45 minutes
Answer: C) 20 minutes

78. What is the sensory response to TENS?
A) Tingling sensation
B) Strong contraction
C) Heat sensation
D) Pain
Answer: A) Tingling sensation

79. Increasing the distance between electrodes:
A) Reduces intensity
B) Increases depth of penetration
C) Causes muscle fatigue
D) Reduces accommodation
Answer: B) Increases depth of penetration

80. Current used in galvanic stimulation is:
A) Pulsed
B) Direct
C) Alternating
D) Triangular
Answer: B) Direct

81. Chronic pain is best treated with which TENS mode?
A) Conventional
B) Acupuncture-like
C) Burst
D) Modulated
Answer: B) Acupuncture-like

82. For muscle reeducation, the pulse frequency should be:
A) 5 Hz
B) 15 Hz
C) 35–50 Hz
D) 100 Hz
Answer: C) 35–50 Hz

83. Frequency in electrotherapy is measured in:
A) Seconds
B) Millivolts
C) Hertz
D) Joules
Answer: C) Hertz

84. During electrotherapy, increasing the pulse width:
A) Increases depth of penetration
B) Decreases muscle contraction
C) Reduces nerve stimulation
D) Has no effect
Answer: A) Increases depth of penetration

85. When stimulating a small muscle, use:
A) Large electrodes
B) Small electrodes
C) Medium-frequency current
D) Interferential pads
Answer: B) Small electrodes

86. Electrodes should be replaced if:
A) They feel warm
B) Edges are peeling
C) They are still sticky
D) After 5 uses
Answer: B) Edges are peeling

87. Which is a motor point?
A) Skin region with pain
B) Junction where nerve enters muscle
C) Scar area
D) Lymph node
Answer: B) Junction where nerve enters muscle

88. Pain modulation by TENS is temporary due to:
A) Electrolyte imbalance
B) Accommodation
C) Permanent nerve block
D) Electrode fatigue
Answer: B) Accommodation

89. The normal intensity range for TENS is:
A) 0–10 mA
B) 10–50 mA
C) 50–100 mA
D) 100–300 mA
Answer: B) 10–50 mA

90. Which mode is ideal for acute musculoskeletal pain?
A) Burst
B) Conventional TENS
C) Acupuncture
D) High voltage pulsed
Answer: B) Conventional TENS

91. Interrupted DC is used for:
A) Sensory stimulation
B) Innervated muscles
C) Denervated muscles
D) Joint mobilization
Answer: C) Denervated muscles

92. The lowest stimulation threshold is found in:
A) C fibers
B) A delta fibers
C) Motor fibers
D) A beta fibers
Answer: D) A beta fibers

93. Anodic stimulation has:
A) Soothing effects
B) Stimulatory effects
C) Burning effects
D) Spasmogenic effects
Answer: A) Soothing effects

94. The primary risk in electrotherapy is:
A) Dizziness
B) Skin burns
C) Fractures
D) Hypothermia
Answer: B) Skin burns

95. Which frequency penetrates deeper into tissues?
A) Low
B) Medium
C) High
D) Pulsed
Answer: B) Medium

96. Which mode of electrotherapy reduces edema best?
A) IFT
B) HVPG
C) TENS
D) Ultrasound
Answer: B) HVPG

97. Biphasic symmetrical current is best for:
A) Pain relief
B) Spasm
C) Muscle strengthening
D) Inflammation
Answer: C) Muscle strengthening

98. What affects patient comfort in electrotherapy?
A) Pulse width
B) Intensity
C) Frequency
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above

99. TENS can be used for how many hours per day safely?
A) 1–2 hours
B) 2–4 hours
C) 4–6 hours
D) Up to 24 hours
Answer: D) Up to 24 hours

100. Which current is most effective for chronic low back pain?
A) TENS
B) IFT
C) Galvanic
D) Russian
Answer: B) IFT