module 3.5

Question 1

discuss why we need to know what medications the patient takes

Answer 1

Some medications cause a generalized change in EEG activity (a
medication could never affect just part (focal) of the brain). We also need to know the
dose of each med

Question 2

list neurological symptoms to ask the patient about

Answer 2

Head traumas - Brain Surgery
- Headaches - Dizziness
- Blackouts - Seizures
- Strokes - Numbness/Tingling
- Confusion - Change in behavior

Question 3

list questions that need to be asked about the patient’s symptoms

Answer 3

• When did it very first happen or was diagnosed?
• Did it come on suddenly or gradually?
• Does it happen constantly or come and go?
• When was the last time it happened?
• Does anything seem to bring it on or make it better?
• Is there any family history of this problem?
• How often does it happen?.
  How long does it last?
• Are there any other symptoms along with it such as: HA, visual disturbance, N/V,
  fatigue, dizziness, ringing or buzzing in ears etc.?

Question 4

list questions to ask about the patient’s seizures

Answer 4

Does it happen during sleep, wake or both?
- Is there a LOC, if so for how long?
- Was there any warning that is seizure was about to happen (aura)?
- How long did it last?
- Was there salivation, cyanosis, incontinence, tongue biting, staring off, confusion,
repetitive motion like blinking or chewing (automatism), could patient speak or hear
during episode, drowsiness, N/V, jerking anywhere, if so was it on the left, right,
arms, legs, all over and did it start in one spot and spread or did it start generalized?
- How did patient feel after the spell, how long did it take to get back to normal?

Question 5

discuss the difference between chronological, gestational and conceptual ages

Answer 5

The legal age is also called chronological age and is the time from birth to
present.
- The gestational age is the time the patient spent in the womb.

Question 6

list questions to be asked about a pediatric patient,

Answer 6

Was the patient’s birth early, on time or late?
Were there any complications during the pregnancy or birth?
- What was the condition of the baby at the time of birth (APGAR score)?
Have the child’s milestones been in the normal range?
- Is the child in special education classes, what is the behavior at school?
- Any changes in the child’s behavior or grades?

Question 7

list behaviors to be observed by a technologist during an EEG

Answer 7

BEHAVIOR: ALWAYS remark on the patient’s behavior at the time of the test.
- The patient was alert and cooperative.
- The patient was drowsy but cooperative.
- The patient was confused and unable to answer questions appropriately.
- The patient was confused, combative and in four-way restraints.
- The patient was difficult to arouse but answered questions appropriately.
- The patient answered questions appropriately but was extremely agitated.
- The patient was unresponsive to verbal and painful stimulus.
- The patient was only responsive to painful stimuli.
- The patient was alert and cooperative but had a headache all during the test.

Question 8

state what to do if a skull defect is seen

Answer 8

Note any scars or skull defects on head.