electroneurodiagnostic technician Interview Questions and Answers

1. What is an Electroneurodiagnostic (END) technician?

   • Answer: An END technician is a healthcare professional who performs tests to evaluate the function of the nervous system, using specialized equipment to record and analyze electrical activity in the brain, nerves, and muscles. They work under the supervision of a physician, typically a neurologist or neurosurgeon.

2. Describe your experience with EEG (Electroencephalography).

   • Answer: [Describe specific experience with EEG: preparation of the patient, electrode placement using the 10-20 system, artifact identification and reduction, recording and interpretation of EEG waveforms (e.g., alpha, beta, theta, delta waves), experience with different types of EEG studies (routine EEG, sleep-deprived EEG, ambulatory EEG), troubleshooting equipment, etc. Quantify your experience with numbers if possible (e.g., "performed over 500 EEGs").]

3. Explain the 10-20 system of electrode placement.

   • Answer: The 10-20 system is a standardized method for placing electrodes on the scalp during EEG. It ensures consistent placement across different individuals, facilitating comparison of results. It's based on percentages of the distances between anatomical landmarks (nasion, inion, pre-auricular points) and uses letters to denote lobes (F-frontal, T-temporal, C-central, P-parietal, O-occipital) and numbers to denote location (odd numbers on the left, even numbers on the right). This system ensures accurate and reproducible electrode placement.

4. What are common artifacts in EEG recordings, and how do you address them?

   • Answer: Common artifacts include electrode pops (disconnections), muscle tension (EMG), eye blinks (EOG), and movement artifacts. Addressing them involves checking electrode impedance, instructing the patient to relax, using filters, and potentially re-positioning electrodes. Sometimes, artifact rejection techniques in the recording software are employed.

5. What is an evoked potential study, and what are some examples?

   • Answer: Evoked potentials are electrical responses in the brain or nervous system elicited by specific stimuli (visual, auditory, somatosensory). Examples include Visual Evoked Potentials (VEPs), Auditory Evoked Potentials (AEPs – including BAEPs and other auditory evoked potentials), and Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SSEPs). These tests help assess the integrity of specific neural pathways.

6. Describe your experience with nerve conduction studies (NCS) and electromyography (EMG).

   • Answer: [Describe your experience with NCS and EMG, including patient preparation, stimulation techniques, recording techniques, interpretation of waveforms (latencies, amplitudes, conduction velocities), needle EMG techniques, and identification of different patterns (e.g., myopathy, neuropathy). Again, quantify your experience whenever possible.]

7. Explain the difference between sensory and motor nerve conduction studies.

   • Answer: Sensory NCS assess the function of sensory nerves by stimulating a sensory nerve and recording the response at a distal site. Motor NCS assess the function of motor nerves by stimulating a motor nerve and recording the response from the muscle it innervates. Both provide information on nerve conduction velocity and amplitude, helping to identify nerve damage.

8. What are the safety precautions you take when performing END procedures?

   • Answer: Safety precautions include proper electrode placement to avoid burns, ensuring proper grounding to prevent electrical shock, understanding the contraindications for each test, maintaining a sterile environment for needle EMG, and adhering to infection control protocols. Patient safety and comfort are paramount.

9. How do you handle a patient who is anxious or claustrophobic during a procedure?

   • Answer: I would explain the procedure calmly and thoroughly, addressing any concerns the patient may have. I would offer reassurance, create a relaxed atmosphere, allow breaks if needed, and if necessary, suggest relaxation techniques or collaborate with the physician or nursing staff for appropriate sedation or anxiolytic medication.

10. How do you ensure the accuracy and reliability of your results?

    • Answer: Accuracy and reliability are ensured through careful electrode placement (using the 10-20 system for EEG), proper equipment calibration and maintenance, consistent technique, careful artifact reduction, and adherence to established protocols. Regular quality control checks and participation in continuing education programs also contribute to accuracy.

11. What is your experience with polysomnography?

    • Answer: [Describe your experience with polysomnography: setup, monitoring, scoring sleep stages, identifying sleep disorders (e.g., sleep apnea, insomnia), artifact identification.]

12. What software and equipment are you familiar with?

    • Answer: [List specific software and equipment, e.g., specific EEG machines, EMG machines, polysomnography systems, data analysis software.]

13. Describe a challenging case you encountered and how you handled it.

    • Answer: [Provide a specific example, highlighting your problem-solving skills, technical expertise, and patient care.]

14. How do you stay current with the latest advances in electroneurodiagnostic technology?

    • Answer: [Describe methods, e.g., attending conferences, reading professional journals, participating in continuing education courses.]

15. What are your salary expectations?

    • Answer: [State your salary expectations realistically based on your experience and location.]

16. Why are you interested in this position?

    • Answer: [Explain your interest in the position, highlighting your skills and career goals.]

17. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

    • Answer: [Provide honest and specific examples. For weaknesses, focus on areas you're working to improve.]

18. Where do you see yourself in five years?

    • Answer: [Describe your career aspirations and how this position fits into your long-term goals.]

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