EEG Ambulatory 5

Question 1

A patient wearing an ambulatory EEG recorder reports the device became wet after showering despite instructions. The technologist's FIRST concern should be:

Accepted Answer

Patient electrical safety and device integrity

Answer

Patient safety is the primary concern; water ingress into recording equipment can create electrical hazards, and device integrity must be assessed before continuing.

Question 2

Which electrode placement system is MOST commonly used for ambulatory EEG studies in the United States?

Accepted Answer

10-20 International System

Answer

The 10-20 International System is the standard electrode placement system used for ambulatory EEG in the US and most international centers.

Question 3

An ambulatory EEG recording shows a sudden onset of 3 Hz spike-and-wave discharges lasting 12 seconds, coinciding with the patient pressing the event button. This is MOST consistent with:

Accepted Answer

A typical absence seizure

Answer

Classic 3 Hz generalized spike-and-wave lasting approximately 10–15 seconds with preserved consciousness is the hallmark of typical absence seizures.

Question 4

What is the PRIMARY advantage of extending ambulatory EEG from 24 hours to 72 hours?

Accepted Answer

Greater likelihood of capturing infrequent seizures or interictal discharges

Answer

Longer recordings increase the probability of capturing rare events; seizure yield rises substantially with extended monitoring duration.

Question 5

A patient's ambulatory EEG diary notes going to sleep at 22:30. The technologist should expect to see which EEG pattern shortly after this time?

Accepted Answer

Vertex sharp waves and sleep spindles

Answer

Normal sleep onset is marked by vertex sharp waves (V waves) and sleep spindles (12–14 Hz) during NREM stage N2 sleep.

EEG - Electroencephalography Practice Test

EEG - Electroencephalography Practice Test

EEG Ambulatory 5