An EEG is a test that records the electrical activity of your brain using electrodes attached to your scalp¹². The test is usually done while you are awake, but relaxed and still, for about 30 to 60 minutes¹. You may be asked to close your eyes, breathe deeply, or look at a flashing light during the test to see how your brain responds to different stimuli¹².

Choice A is wrong because the test will not be done while you are asleep. An EEG can be done while you are asleep in some cases, such as when you have sleep disorders or nocturnal seizures, but this is not the standard procedure¹². You may be asked to stay awake the night before the test if you need to have an EEG while you are asleep¹.

Choice C is wrong because the test will not be done while you are under general anesthesia. General anesthesia is not needed for an EEG, as it is a non-invasive and painless test¹². General anesthesia may interfere with the brain activity that the EEG is trying to measure³.

Choice D is wrong because the test will not be done while you are sedated. Sedation is not usually required for an EEG, as it is a simple and safe test¹². Sedation may also affect the brain activity that the EEG is trying to record³. Sedation may be used in some cases, such as when children are unable to stay still or cooperate during the test⁴.

Provocation refers to methods that may trigger or enhance epileptic activity in the brain, such as hyperventilation, photic stimulation, sleep deprivation, or cognitive tasks¹². Provocation can help diagnose photosensitive epilepsy, absence seizures, or other types of seizures that may not occur spontaneously during the EEG¹². However, provocation is not always necessary or feasible, depending on the patient's condition and the purpose of the EEG¹².

Video recording refers to capturing the patient's behavior and movements during the EEG, which can help correlate the clinical manifestations with the electrical activity of the brain³⁴. Video recording can help differentiate epileptic seizures from nonepileptic events, identify the type and onset of seizures, and evaluate the response to treatment³⁴. However, video recording is not always available or required, depending on the setting and the indication of the EEG³⁴.

Choice B is wrong because the EEG cannot be done with different electrode arrangements. The EEG electrode placement follows the International 10-20 system, which is a standardized method to describe and apply the location of scalp electrodes based on anatomical landmarks and proportional distances⁵⁶. The 10-20 system ensures consistency and reproducibility of EEG recordings across different centers and studies⁵⁶.

Choice C is wrong because the EEG cannot be done with contrast. Contrast is a substance that enhances the visibility of structures or fluids within the body in imaging tests, such as CT scan or MRI scan⁷⁸. Contrast is not used in EEG, as it is a non-invasive and painless test that measures electrical activity in the brain using electrodes attached to the scalp⁷⁸.

Choice D is wrong because the EEG is usually done without sedation. Sedation is not routinely required for EEG, as it is a simple and safe test that does not cause pain or discomfort⁷⁸. Sedation may also affect the electrical activity of the brain that the EEG is trying to measure⁹. Sedation may be used in some cases, such as when children are unable to stay still or cooperate during the test, or when sleep-deprived EEG is needed

This statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching, as it is incorrect and shows a misunderstanding of the EEG procedure.

An EEG is a test that records the electrical activity of your brain using electrodes attached to your scalp . The test does not involve any injection of dye or contrast, as it is not an imaging test that requires enhancing the visibility of structures or fluids within the body . The test is non-invasive and painless, and does not expose you to any radiation or harmful substances .

Choice A is wrong because "I may need to hyperventilate during the test." This statement by the patient is correct and does not indicate a need for further teaching. Hyperventilation is a method of provocation that may be used during the EEG to trigger or enhance epileptic activity in the brain . Hyperventilation involves breathing deeply and rapidly for a few minutes, which can lower the carbon dioxide level in the blood and cause changes in the brain's electrical activity .

Choice B is wrong because "I may need to have flashing lights during the test." This statement by the patient is correct and does not indicate a need for further teaching. Photic stimulation is another method of provocation that may be used during the EEG to trigger or enhance epileptic activity in the brain . Photic stimulation involves exposing the patient to a flashing light of varying frequency and intensity, which can stimulate the visual cortex and cause changes in the brain's electrical activity .

Choice D is wrong because "I may need to have sleep deprivation before the test." This statement by the patient is correct and does not indicate a need for further teaching. Sleep deprivation is a condition that may be required before the EEG to increase the likelihood of detecting abnormal brain activity or seizures . Sleep deprivation involves staying awake for most or all of the night before the test, which can alter the brain's electrical activity and make it more sensitive to provocation methods .

This statement indicates a need for further teaching because sleep deprivation is not required for an MRI scan of the brain. Sleep deprivation is sometimes used for an electroencephalogram (EEG) test, which measures the electrical activity of the brain, but not for an MRI, which uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of the brain.

Choice A is wrong because the patient may need to have an injection of dye or contrast during the test. This can help enhance the visibility of certain structures or abnormalities in the brain¹².

Choice B is wrong because the patient may need to have flashing lights during the test. This is part of a functional MRI (fMRI) of the brain, which can measure the metabolic changes in the brain when the patient performs certain tasks¹.

Choice D is wrong because it is similar to choice A. Contrast and dye are different terms for the same substance that can be injected during an MRI scan².

To prepare for an MRI scan of the brain, the patient should not eat or drink anything for four hours prior to the exam, and should not wear any metal objects, such as jewelry, hairpins, or eye makeup³⁴⁵. The patient should also inform the medical staff if they have any metal implants or devices in their body, such as pacemakers, artificial joints, or aneurysm clips¹⁴.

This instruction is incorrect and should not be provided to the patient, because an MRI scan of the brain does not measure the electrical activity of the brain or use electrodes. This is a description of an electroencephalogram (EEG) test, which is a different procedure¹².

Choice A is wrong because it is a correct instruction that the nurse can provide to the patient. The MRI can reveal structural abnormalities or lesions that may cause seizures, such as tumors, strokes, infections, or malformations¹².

Choice B is wrong because it is also a correct instruction that the nurse can provide to the patient. The MRI can detect abnormal patterns or discharges that indicate seizure activity, especially if it is a functional MRI (fMRI) that can measure the metabolic changes in the brain when the patient performs certain tasks¹².

Choice D is wrong because it is partly correct and partly incorrect. The MRI can be done in a clinic or hospital, depending on the purpose and duration of the test, but not at home¹³. MRI machines are large and expensive devices that require special facilities and trained staff to operate them¹.