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. electroencephalogram (EEG)
2. computed tomography (CT)
3. evoked potentials
4. electromyogram (EMG)
Correct Answer: 1
An electroencephalogram (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.
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