What is the purpose of monitoring the skin for burns during NMES?

• A. To prevent skin injury from high current and heat
• B. To ensure the device is on
• C. To measure blood pressure
• D. To track heart rate

Answer: (A)

Preventing skin injury from the electrical current and heat at the electrode contact is the key idea. NMES can cause burn if current density is too high or the skin overheats, especially with poor electrode contact or long stimulus duration. By monitoring the skin for early signs like redness, warmth, or blistering, you can intervene promptly—lower the intensity, shorten the session, reposition or replace electrodes, or improve contact with gel or larger electrodes—to keep the therapy safe. The other options don’t address the burn risk—they relate to basic device status or unrelated measurements.