What is the correct approach if a patient reports a new warmth or burning sensation under an electrode during therapy?

• A. Stop treatment, assess skin, adjust or reposition electrodes, and reintroduce gradually
• B. Increase intensity to reduce sensation
• C. Move electrode further away but keep same setting
• D. Ignore and continue

Answer: (A)

When a patient reports warmth or burning under an electrode, it signals potential skin injury from excessive current density or poor contact, so safety means acting immediately. Stop the treatment, inspect the skin for redness or signs of a burn, check electrode–skin contact and impedance, adjust or reposition the electrodes (reapply conductive gel or pads as needed), and then reintroduce therapy gradually at a lower intensity and shorter duration once the skin is clear. This approach prevents worsening injury and still allows the electrical treatment to be delivered safely. Increasing intensity would worsen the sensation, moving electrodes without addressing contact won’t fix the issue, and ignoring symptoms risks a burn.