Question

A patient is scheduled for an EEG. How does the nurse prepare the patient for this diagnostic test?

A) Giving a sedative before bedtime
B) Having the patient drink extra fluids before the test
C) Keeping the patient NPO after midnight
D) keeping the patient awake from 2 AM until the scheduled test time

Answer 1

In preparation for an EEG, a patient may be instructed to stay awake for a period before the test, typically starting from 2 AM until the time of the EEG, to experience sleep during the procedure.

Step-by-step explanation:

To prepare a patient for an EEG (electroencephalography), which measures the brain's electrical activity, different protocols may be followed based on the reason for the EEG and the patient's health status. However, for a standard EEG, patients are often instructed to keep awake for a certain period before the test to ensure that they can fall asleep during the procedure if needed, as sleep patterns can be an important part of the EEG recording. This could involve staying awake from the early hours of the morning, such as 2 AM, until the test. The patient should not drink extra fluids before the test nor should they be kept NPO (nothing by mouth) after midnight unless specifically instructed by the physician for other medical reasons.