All of the following items apply to short wave diathermy dosage EXCEPT

• A. The heat sensation of the patient is the most effective guide to dosage
• B. A rapid rise of heating is desirable
• C. The meter does not register the amount of energy passing to the patient
• D. The procedure must never cause pain during treatment

Answer: (B)

Short wave diathermy dosage is about delivering therapeutic tissue heating safely by carefully adjusting power and treatment time while watching how the patient responds. You use the patient’s heat sensation as a guide, aiming for a comfortable warmth rather than a hot or painful level, and you adjust accordingly. The device’s meter shows the energy output to the applicator, but it does not directly tell you exactly how much energy reaches the tissues, since that depends on factors like tissue impedance and how the applicator is placed. It’s also essential that the treatment never cause pain; if pain occurs, the dosage must be reduced. A rapid rise in heating is not desirable because it increases the risk of overheating surface or deeper tissues and can lead to burns or discomfort.