What are typical post-treatment care steps after NMES?

• A. Remove electrodes and wipe the skin.
• B. Remove electrodes, wipe skin, inspect for redness or irritation, document session, store device properly, and monitor for delayed soreness.
• C. Leave electrodes in place and continue to next session.
• D. Document only if problems occur.

Answer: (B)

Post-treatment care after NMES centers on protecting the skin, ensuring safety, and keeping good records for ongoing care. Removing the electrodes promptly stops any ongoing current and allows the skin to recover. Wiping the skin removes residual gel and electrolyte moisture, which helps prevent skin irritation and keeps future electrode adhesion reliable. Inspecting the treated area for redness or irritation lets you catch early skin reactions and adjust as needed for future sessions. Documenting the session creates a clear record of the patient’s response and any skin changes or tolerances, which is essential for safety and continuity of care. Storing the device and electrodes properly preserves hygiene, prevents cross-contamination, and extends the equipment’s life. Monitoring for delayed soreness is important because muscle soreness can develop 24–48 hours after NMES; advise the patient to report persistent or worsening soreness or any new skin changes.

Leaving electrodes in place and moving on to the next session skips necessary skin care and assessment. Not cleaning or documenting appropriately risks skin issues and breaks in safety and continuity of care.