A PT is treating a patient with iontophoresis. If the current is set at 4 mA, the duration at 15 minutes, and the dexamethasone solution at 0.4%, with an electrode area of 4 cm2, how would the therapist record the current dosage?

A PT is treating a patient with iontophoresis. If the current is set at 4 mA, the duration at 15 minutes, and the dexamethasone solution at 0.4%, with an electrode area of 4 cm2, how would the therapist record the current dosage?

• A. 0.16 mA.mg
• B. 16 mA/cm2
• C. 0.60 mg/min
• D. 60 mA.min

Answer: (D)

In iontophoresis, the current dosage represents the total electrical charge delivered, calculated by multiplying the current (in milliamperes) by the treatment time (in minutes). Here, 4 mA for 15 minutes equals 60 mA·min. The electrode area and drug concentration don’t change this total charge; they influence how much drug may be delivered, not the recorded electrical dosage. So the proper way to document the dosage is 60 mA·min.

In iontophoresis, the current dosage represents the total electrical charge delivered, calculated by multiplying the current (in milliamperes) by the treatment time (in minutes). Here, 4 mA for 15 minutes equals 60 mA·min. The electrode area and drug concentration don’t change this total charge; they influence how much drug may be delivered, not the recorded electrical dosage. So the proper way to document the dosage is 60 mA·min.