electroencephalographic technician Interview Questions and Answers

1. What is an electroencephalogram (EEG)?

   • Answer: An EEG is a non-invasive test that measures the electrical activity in the brain using electrodes placed on the scalp. It detects abnormalities in brainwave patterns that may indicate neurological conditions like epilepsy, sleep disorders, head injuries, or brain tumors.

2. Describe the different types of EEG waves and their significance.

   • Answer: EEG waves are categorized by frequency: Delta (0.5-4 Hz) – deep sleep; Theta (4-7 Hz) – drowsiness, sleep; Alpha (8-13 Hz) – relaxed wakefulness; Beta (14-30 Hz) – alert wakefulness; Gamma (30-100 Hz) – cognitive processing. Abnormal patterns or excessive/lack of certain waves can indicate neurological issues.

3. Explain the 10-20 International System for electrode placement.

   • Answer: The 10-20 system is a standardized method for placing electrodes on the scalp. It's based on percentages of the distance between anatomical landmarks (nasion, inion, preauricular points) to ensure consistent and comparable EEG recordings across different individuals.

4. What are the common artifacts seen in EEG recordings, and how are they minimized?

   • Answer: Common artifacts include muscle tension (EMG), eye movement (EOG), ECG interference, and 60Hz power line noise. Minimization techniques include proper electrode placement and impedance checking, patient education (e.g., remaining still), shielding from electrical interference, and artifact rejection software.

5. How do you prepare a patient for an EEG?

   • Answer: Patient preparation involves explaining the procedure, ensuring hair is clean and free of products, applying conductive gel to the scalp, and attaching electrodes according to the 10-20 system. It's crucial to address any patient anxieties and ensure their comfort.

6. What is impedance, and why is it important in EEG?

   • Answer: Impedance is the resistance to the flow of electrical current. High impedance can lead to poor signal quality and artifacts in EEG recordings. It's crucial to keep impedance below a certain threshold (usually below 5kΩ) for optimal signal acquisition.

7. Describe the process of recording an EEG.

   • Answer: The process involves preparing the patient, applying electrodes, checking impedance, recording the EEG signal using the EEG machine, and observing the patient for any changes or reactions. The recording may involve resting states, stimulation tests (e.g., hyperventilation, photic stimulation), or sleep studies.

8. What are the safety precautions you would take during an EEG procedure?

   • Answer: Safety precautions include checking for allergies to the conductive gel, ensuring the patient's comfort and safety, monitoring for any adverse reactions, and following proper infection control procedures (hand hygiene, clean equipment). Be aware of potential seizures and have appropriate emergency protocols in place.

9. How do you identify and document artifacts in an EEG recording?

   • Answer: Artifacts are identified visually on the EEG tracing by their characteristic patterns (e.g., muscle activity as high-frequency bursts). Documentation involves noting the type, time of occurrence, and potential source of the artifact in the EEG report.

10. What is the role of an EEG technician in a sleep study?

    • Answer: During a sleep study, the EEG technician prepares the patient, applies electrodes for EEG, EOG (eye movements), EMG (muscle activity), and other sensors (e.g., respiratory effort, heart rate). They monitor the patient throughout the night, ensuring proper signal quality and addressing any technical issues. They also assist in scoring the sleep stages.

11. What is the difference between a monopolar and bipolar EEG montage?

    • Answer: A monopolar montage refers to recording the voltage difference between one active electrode and a common reference electrode. A bipolar montage involves recording the voltage difference between two adjacent electrodes. Both have their advantages and disadvantages in terms of artifact detection and localization of brain activity.

12. Explain the concept of "referential" and "average" referencing in EEG.

    • Answer: Referential referencing uses a single electrode (e.g., linked ears, mastoid) as a reference for all other electrodes. Average referencing uses the average voltage of all electrodes as the reference point, minimizing the influence of artifacts related to the reference electrode.

13. What are some common neurological disorders that can be diagnosed using EEG?

    • Answer: Epilepsy (various seizure types), encephalopathies, brain tumors, strokes, sleep disorders (insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy), head injuries, and degenerative neurological diseases.

14. How do you troubleshoot common problems encountered during EEG recording?

    • Answer: Troubleshooting involves checking electrode impedance, inspecting electrode placement, identifying and mitigating artifacts, verifying proper machine settings, and addressing any technical issues with the EEG equipment. If problems persist, seeking assistance from a supervisor or biomedical engineer is necessary.

15. What are the ethical considerations involved in performing EEGs?

    • Answer: Ethical considerations include ensuring patient confidentiality, obtaining informed consent, maintaining patient dignity and comfort, and accurately documenting the procedure and findings. Adhering to HIPAA regulations is crucial.

16. Describe your experience with different types of EEG equipment.

    • Answer: [This answer will vary depending on the candidate's experience. They should list specific equipment models and describe their familiarity with their features and operation.]

17. How familiar are you with digital EEG systems and their advantages over analog systems?

    • Answer: [The candidate should discuss their knowledge of digital EEG systems including their ability to store and manipulate data digitally, improved signal processing, and artifact reduction capabilities compared to analog systems.]

18. What is your experience with EEG data analysis software?

    • Answer: [The candidate should list specific software packages they've used and describe their proficiency in tasks such as artifact rejection, montage manipulation, and report generation.]

19. How do you handle a situation where a patient becomes distressed or anxious during an EEG?

    • Answer: I would reassure the patient, offer explanations to alleviate their concerns, and address any physical discomfort. In severe cases, I would seek assistance from a nurse or physician.

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