Author Question: A patient in the hospital critical care unit is being evaluated for brain death. What neurological ... (Read 82 times)

bio_gurl · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A patient in the hospital critical care unit is being evaluated for brain death. What neurological test should the nurse expect to be prescribed for this patient?

1. electroencephalogra m (EEG)
2. computed tomography (CT)
3. evoked potentials
4. electromyogram (EMG)

Question 2

A patient is seen in the clinic for a neuromuscular disease. What neurological test helps to diagnose this type of health problem?

1. single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)
2. positron emission tomography (PET)
3. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
4. electromyogram (EMG)

tranoy · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1
An electroencephalogra m (EEG) is part of the brain death protocol in hospitals. It measures the electrical activity of the brain and can also be used to diagnose brain disease. The other tests do not measure the electrical activity of the brain. Computed tomography (CT) looks at the intracranial contents and can help distinguish hemorrhage, tumors, cysts, aneurysms, edema, ischemia, atrophy, and tissue necrosis. The evoked potentials test measures nerve conduction along pathways to evaluate muscle contractions. An electromyogram (EMG) measures the electrical activity of skeletal muscles.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 4
An electromyogram (EMG) measures the electrical activity of skeletal muscles at rest and during contraction and is useful in diagnosing neuromuscular disease. A SPECT is a nuclear scan that provides information about blood flow. A PET scan provides information about cellular function and is useful in diagnosing heart disease and cancers. An MRI uses magnetic fields to produce images of body structures.