How often should skin be checked or assessed in at-risk patients before and after electrotherapy sessions?

• A. Before and after each session
• B. Only before the first session
• C. Only after the last session
• D. Once a day

Answer: (A)

Regular skin assessment while delivering electrotherapy helps protect tissue and catch problems early. Skin can change quickly with electrical contact, moisture, friction, or reactions to gel, so checking before each session ensures the area is suitable for safe electrode placement and appropriate settings. After each session, reassess for any delayed irritation, persistent redness, warmth, tenderness, blistering, or new pain, and verify that electrode-skin contact and impedance remain acceptable. This ongoing monitoring lets you adjust intensity, duration, or technique or stop treatment if adverse reactions appear, reducing the risk of burns or tissue damage. Relying on only a prior or post check misses changes that occur during the course of treatment, and daily checks could still miss issues that arise between sessions. In patients with fragile skin or conditions like diabetes or neuropathy, frequent monitoring is especially important to maintain safety and comfort.