OBJECTIVES

Central objectives :
At the end of observation of EEG department students will be able to understand the
organization and services of the department and treatment carried out by the technician.

Contributory objectives:
At the end of observation students will be able…

 describe the uses of EEG

 Enlist the procedures for EEG
 List out the instruments for the preparations of the EEG

NAME OF THE VISIT PLACE: EEG DEPARTMENT, DHIRAJ GENERAL

HOSPITAL , PIPARIA, VADODARA

TIME : 10 AM TO 11 AM

As a part of our curriculum we 2nd year M.Sc. (psychiatry nursing) have been visited to
EEG department on 31ST January 2017.

We reached & assembled there by 10 A.M. we were oriented with the preparation and
procedure of EEG
 EEG (Electroencephalogram)

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test used to evaluate the electrical activity in the brain.
Brain cells communicate with each other through electrical impulses. An EEG can be used to
help detect potential problems associated with this activity.
The test tracks and records brain wave patterns. Small, flat metal discs called electrodes are
attached to the scalp with wires. The electrodes analyze the electrical impulses in the brain and
send signals to a computer, where the results are recorded.

Uses:
An EEG is used to detect problems in the electrical activity of the brain that may be associated
with certain brain disorders. The measurements given by an EEG are used to confirm or rule out
various conditions, including:

 seizure disorders (such as epilepsy)

 a head injury
 encephalitis (an inflammation of the brain)
 a brain tumor
 encephalopathy (a disease that causes brain dysfunction)
 memory problems
 sleep disorders
 stroke
 dementia

Preparation:
Before the test, you should take the following steps:

 Wash your hair the night before the EEG, and don’t put any products (such as sprays or
gels) in your hair on the day of the test.
 Ask your doctor if you should stop taking any medications before the test. You should
also make a list of your medications and give it to the technician performing the EEG.
 Avoid consuming any food or drinks containing caffeine for at least eight hours prior to
the test.
Your doctor may ask you to sleep as little as possible the night before the test if you’re required
to sleep during the EEG. You may also be given a sedative to help you to relax and sleep before
the test begins.
After the EEG is over, you can continue with your regular routine for the day. However, if you
were given a sedative, the medication will remain in your system for a little while. This means
that you’ll have to bring someone with you so they can take you home after the test. You’ll need
to rest and avoid driving until the medication has worn off.

Procedure:

An EEG measures the electrical impulses in your brain by using several electrodes that are
attached to your scalp. An electrode is a conductor through which an electric current enters or
leaves. The electrodes transfer information from your brain to a machine that measures and
records the data.

An EEG may be given at a hospital, at your doctor’s office, or at a laboratory by a specialized

technician. It usually takes 30 to 60 minutes to complete. The test typically involves the
following steps:

 You’ll be asked to lie down on your back in a reclining chair or on a bed.

 The technician will measure your head and mark where the electrodes will be placed.
These spots are then scrubbed with a special cream that helps the electrodes get a high-
quality reading.
 The technician will put a sticky gel adhesive on 16 to 25 electrodes. They will then be
attached to various spots on your scalp.
 Once the test begins, the electrodes send electrical impulse data from your brain to the
recording machine. This machine converts the electrical impulses into visual patterns that
can be seen on a screen. These patterns are saved to a computer.
 The technician may instruct you to do certain things while the test is in progress. They
may ask you to lie still, close your eyes, breathe deeply, or look at stimuli (such as a
flashing light or a picture).
 After the test is complete, the technician will remove the electrodes from your scalp.
During the test, very little electricity is passed between the electrodes and your skin, so you’ll
feel very little to no discomfort.

Results:
A neurologist (someone who specializes in nervous system disorders) interprets the recordings
taken from the EEG and then sends the results to your doctor. Your doctor may schedule an
appointment to go over the test results with you.
Normal Results
Electrical activity in the brain is seen in an EEG as a pattern of waves. Different levels of
consciousness, such as sleeping and waking, have a specific range of frequencies of waves per
second that are considered normal. For example, the wave patterns move faster when you’re
awake than when you’re asleep. The EEG will show if the frequency of waves or patterns are
normal. Normal activity typically means you don’t have a brain disorder.

Abnormal Results
Abnormal EEG results may be due to:

 epilepsy or another seizure disorder

 abnormal bleeding or hemorrhage
 sleep disorder
 encephalitis (swelling of the brain)
 a tumor
 dead tissue due to a blockage of blood flow
 migraines
 alcohol or drug abuse
 head injury
It’s very important to discuss your test results with your doctor. Before you review the results
with them, it may be helpful to write down any questions you might want to ask. Be sure to
speak up if there’s anything about your results that you don’t understand.