Which of the following describes a therapeutic use of iontophoresis?

Which of the following describes a therapeutic use of iontophoresis?

• A. It relieves pain and inflammation by delivering a local anesthetic to affected tissues
• B. It increases edema in joints
• C. It strengthens bone density
• D. It accelerates muscle atrophy

Answer: (A)

Iontophoresis uses a mild electrical current to drive charged drug ions through the skin to produce a local therapeutic effect. Delivering a local anesthetic to affected tissues to relieve pain and inflammation fits this use because the goal is targeted relief at the site with limited systemic exposure. The other options don’t align with how iontophoresis works: it’s not used to increase edema, to strengthen bone density, or to accelerate muscle atrophy.

Iontophoresis uses a mild electrical current to drive charged drug ions through the skin to produce a local therapeutic effect. Delivering a local anesthetic to affected tissues to relieve pain and inflammation fits this use because the goal is targeted relief at the site with limited systemic exposure. The other options don’t align with how iontophoresis works: it’s not used to increase edema, to strengthen bone density, or to accelerate muscle atrophy.