CNIM Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SSEP)

Question 1

What is the primary neural pathway monitored by upper extremity SSEP during intraoperative monitoring?

Accepted Answer

Dorsal column-medial lemniscal pathway

Answer

Spinothalamic tract

Answer

Corticospinal tract

Answer

Rubrospinal tract

Question 2

Which SSEP component is considered the most clinically significant cortical response when monitoring median nerve stimulation?

Accepted Answer

N20

Answer

N9

Answer

N13

Answer

P25

Question 3

A 50% decrease in SSEP amplitude combined with a 10% increase in latency is generally considered:

Accepted Answer

A significant alarm criterion requiring intervention

Answer

Normal physiological variation

Answer

A minor technical artifact

Answer

A sign of electrode failure

Question 4

Which electrode placement is used to record the Erb's point potential during median nerve SSEP?

Accepted Answer

Ipsilateral to stimulation at the clavicle

Answer

Contralateral to stimulation at the clavicle

Answer

Midline cervical spine

Answer

Contralateral parietal scalp

Question 5

What does the P37 component represent in lower extremity SSEP monitoring via posterior tibial nerve stimulation?

Accepted Answer

Cortical response at the vertex

Answer

Lumbar spinal cord response

Answer

Peripheral nerve action potential

Answer

Brainstem response

Question 6

During SSEP monitoring, the N13 potential recorded at the cervical spine represents activity originating from:

Accepted Answer

The dorsal horn of the cervical spinal cord

Answer

The peripheral nerve

Answer

The thalamus

Answer

The somatosensory cortex