In a monopolar electrosurgical circuit, what is the correct current flow path?

In a monopolar electrosurgical circuit, what is the correct current flow path?

• A. Electrical surgical unit -> active electrode -> patient tissue -> dispersive electrode (grounding pad)
• B. Active electrode -> patient tissue -> dispersive electrode -> electrical unit
• C. Electrical unit -> grounding pad -> patient tissue -> active electrode
• D. Generator -> tissue -> electrode -> ground

Answer: (A)

In monopolar electrosurgery, the energy starts at the generator and is delivered through the active electrode into the tissue. The current then returns from the tissue via the dispersive (grounding) pad, back to the generator to complete the circuit. So the correct flow is generator → active electrode → tissue → dispersive pad → generator. The dispersive pad spreads the current over a large area to minimize heating at any one spot and safely close the circuit. The other sequences either place the return path before tissue or skip the necessary order of energy delivery and return, which would not properly complete the circuit or deliver energy to the target tissue.

In monopolar electrosurgery, the energy starts at the generator and is delivered through the active electrode into the tissue. The current then returns from the tissue via the dispersive (grounding) pad, back to the generator to complete the circuit. So the correct flow is generator → active electrode → tissue → dispersive pad → generator. The dispersive pad spreads the current over a large area to minimize heating at any one spot and safely close the circuit. The other sequences either place the return path before tissue or skip the necessary order of energy delivery and return, which would not properly complete the circuit or deliver energy to the target tissue.