A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a patient receiving transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). The nurse should include which of the following information?

"Positive and negative electrodes are placed over the painful site."
"TENS is considered a form of neuromodulation analgesia."
"You can adjust the pulsation yourself."
"You can adjust voltage yourself."

Explanation

•Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a form of neuromodulation analgesia that safely administers low voltage electrical current to both deep and superficial nerves. It is used for chronic pain.

•Both a positive and negative electrode are placed over the painful site within several inches of each other.

•The patient can control both voltage and pulsation, but if it is used on too high a voltage and for too long, the skin may become irritated or even get a burn.

•TENS has been shown to effectively relieve pain for many people, but the effectiveness varies and no promises should be made that it will work better than medication.

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