Patient Safety and Ethics Flashcards
6 cards from real EEG practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Patient Safety and Ethics flashcards as text
What electrical safety measure prevents harmful current flow through the patient during EEG recording?
Answer: Electrical isolation of the patient circuit from ground through optically coupled or transformer-isolated amplifier inputs
Modern EEG amplifiers use electrical isolation (optical coupling or transformer isolation) between the patient-connected inputs and the mains-powered electronics, preventing dangerous ground currents from flowing through the patient.
A technologist discovers a previously unknown scalp laceration during electrode application. The appropriate response is to:
Answer: Document the finding, avoid placing electrodes directly on the wound, notify the supervising physician, and modify the montage as needed
Discovering a scalp wound requires documentation, avoidance of electrode placement on the wound (infection risk), notification of the clinical team, and appropriate modification of electrode positions while maintaining diagnostic quality.
When performing EEG on a patient with an implanted cardiac defibrillator (ICD), the technologist should:
Answer: Proceed with the study using standard technique, as EEG does not interfere with ICDs, but be aware the ICD may produce artifact on the ECG channel
EEG is safe to perform on patients with ICDs as EEG equipment does not generate electromagnetic fields that could interfere with the device. The ICD may produce artifact on the ECG channel that should be recognized.
The EEG technologist's role in brain death evaluation requires adherence to minimum technical standards including:
Answer: A 30-minute recording at 2 µV/mm sensitivity with interelectrode distances of at least 10 cm and specific filter settings
Brain death EEG evaluation requires stringent technical standards: minimum 30-minute recording, 2 µV/mm sensitivity, interelectrode distances ≥10 cm, impedances 100-10,000 ohms, bandpass 1-30 Hz, and testing for reactivity.
What is the appropriate response if a patient refuses to continue with an EEG study midway through recording?
Answer: Respect the patient's autonomy, safely remove electrodes, and document the incomplete study with the reason for discontinuation
Patient autonomy is a fundamental ethical principle. If a competent patient withdraws consent, the technologist must stop the procedure, safely remove electrodes, and document the circumstances of the incomplete study.
Latex allergy considerations in EEG primarily relate to:
Answer: Latex in electrode preparation materials such as gloves or elastic headbands used during the procedure
Latex allergy precautions in EEG primarily involve gloves worn by the technologist and elastic headbands or chin straps used during the recording. Latex-free alternatives should be available for allergic patients.