EEG Patient Safety and Ethics 5

Question 1

A patient undergoing a prolonged EEG develops a stage IV pressure ulcer under a scalp electrode. This outcome best represents a failure in which ethical principle?

Accepted Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Veracity

Question 2

During a routine outpatient EEG, a patient discloses they are currently experiencing active suicidal ideation. What is the technologist's first action?

Accepted Answer

Immediately alert clinical staff or a supervisor and ensure the patient is not left alone

Answer

Complete the EEG as planned, then document the disclosure at the end of the session

Answer

Do not engage further to avoid worsening distress

Answer

Ask the patient to contact their own therapist after leaving the facility

Question 3

Which scenario represents an appropriate use of physical restraint during a pediatric EEG?

Accepted Answer

Using a papoose board with parental consent and physician order when medically necessary and less restrictive methods have failed

Answer

Applying wrist restraints routinely to prevent electrode displacement in all children under age 5

Answer

Restraining a cooperative child simply to shorten setup time

Answer

Using restraints whenever a child cries during electrode application

Question 4

An EEG technologist is asked by a pharmaceutical company representative to share de-identified EEG recordings for research. What must occur before any sharing?

Accepted Answer

Written approval from the facility's IRB or privacy officer and a data use agreement must be in place

Answer

The technologist may share de-identified data freely since there is no PHI involved

Answer

Verbal approval from the ordering physician is sufficient

Answer

The technologist can share data if the patient's name is removed from the file header

Question 5

A patient who speaks only Spanish arrives for an EEG and the technologist speaks only English. Which approach best upholds informed consent standards?

Accepted Answer

Arrange a qualified medical interpreter (in person, phone, or video) before obtaining consent

Answer

Use the patient's adult family member as an informal interpreter for the consent discussion

Answer

Proceed without explanation since the procedure is non-invasive

Answer

Provide a written consent form in English and have the patient sign it

Question 6

Which action by an EEG technologist during a video-EEG monitoring session could constitute a HIPAA violation?

Accepted Answer

Posting an anonymized educational clip on a social media platform without explicit patient authorization

Answer

Reviewing the recording with the supervising neurologist on a secure workstation

Answer

Storing the recording on the facility's encrypted server with access restricted to the care team

Answer

Documenting behavioral events in the patient's medical record

Question 7

A technologist notices a patient's pacemaker is not listed on the referral but the patient mentions it during setup. Which is the correct immediate action regarding electrical safety?

Accepted Answer

Stop setup, verify pacemaker type and settings with the patient's cardiologist, and document the finding before proceeding

Answer

Proceed since modern EEG machines produce no significant current that could affect pacemakers

Answer

Complete the study but avoid placing electrodes near the chest

Answer

Replace all electrodes with wireless Bluetooth electrodes to eliminate any risk