brain wave technician Interview Questions and Answers
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What is an electroencephalogram (EEG)?
- Answer: An EEG is a non-invasive test that measures the electrical activity of the brain using electrodes placed on the scalp. It records the brain's rhythmic electrical patterns, or brainwaves, which reflect the summed electrical activity of cortical neurons. EEGs are used to diagnose various neurological conditions.
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Explain the different types of brainwaves.
- Answer: Brainwaves are categorized by frequency. Delta (0.5-4 Hz) are associated with deep sleep; Theta (4-8 Hz) with drowsiness and light sleep; Alpha (8-13 Hz) with relaxed wakefulness; Beta (13-30 Hz) with active thinking and alertness; and Gamma (30-100 Hz) with higher cognitive functions like perception and consciousness.
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Describe the 10-20 system of electrode placement.
- Answer: The 10-20 system is an internationally recognized standard for placing electrodes on the scalp during EEG recordings. It ensures consistent placement across different individuals, improving comparability of results. Electrodes are placed at specific points based on percentages of the distance between anatomical landmarks (nasion, inion, preauricular points).
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What are artifacts in EEG recordings, and how do you mitigate them?
- Answer: Artifacts are unwanted signals that contaminate the EEG recording, obscuring brainwave activity. Common artifacts include eye blinks (ocular artifacts), muscle movements (electromyographic artifacts), and movement of the electrodes (electrode pops). Mitigation strategies involve proper electrode application, using artifact rejection techniques during data analysis, and asking the patient to remain still and minimize eye blinks.
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What is impedance, and why is it important in EEG?
- Answer: Impedance is the resistance to the flow of electrical current. In EEG, high impedance between the electrodes and the scalp can lead to poor signal quality, noise, and inaccurate readings. Low impedance (generally below 5 kΩ) is crucial for optimal signal acquisition.
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How do you prepare a patient for an EEG?
- Answer: Patient preparation involves explaining the procedure, ensuring they are comfortable, washing the hair to remove oils and debris, and applying conductive gel to the scalp to ensure good electrode contact. Any medications that might affect brainwave activity should be noted.
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What are some common clinical applications of EEG?
- Answer: EEGs are used to diagnose epilepsy, sleep disorders, brain tumors, head injuries, encephalopathies, and other neurological conditions. They can also be used to monitor brain activity during surgery and assess brain death.
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Explain the difference between a routine EEG and a sleep-deprived EEG.
- Answer: A routine EEG is performed after the patient's usual sleep pattern. A sleep-deprived EEG is conducted after a period of sleep restriction, often to enhance the detection of abnormalities like epileptiform discharges, which may be more prominent when the patient is sleep-deprived.
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What is a QEEG (Quantitative EEG)?
- Answer: A QEEG uses computer analysis to quantify the EEG data, providing numerical measurements of brainwave characteristics (frequency, amplitude, coherence, etc.). This allows for a more objective assessment of brain function compared to visual interpretation alone.
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