Final answer:
The correct action when observing significant muscle spasms during e-stim is to consider stopping the treatment, switching to a different type of electrical stimulation, or adjusting stimulation parameters. It is important to not simply increase the intensity or duration of the stimulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
When using an electrical stimulation machine (e-stim) and significant muscle spasms are observed at the insertion points, the appropriate action is not to increase the intensity (amperage) or duration of the session. This can potentially exacerbate the spasms or result in discomfort or pain for the patient. Depending on the severity of the muscle spasms, one should consider stopping the treatment and reassessing. If the treatment is continued, one might need to switch to a different type of electrical stimulation that is more comfortable for the patient or adjust the parameters such as the frequency or pulse width. This is because an increase in motor neuron signaling frequency can lead to incomplete tetanus or even complete tetanus, where the muscle does not relax at all between contractions. In some cases, altering the target of the electrodes might be necessary to address the muscle spasms.