EEG / Neurodiagnostic Technologist Prometric exam questions with answers

1. Question 1Abnormal EEG, Seizures and Epilepsymedium

   Which ILAE 2017 seizure type is described by a seizure that begins in one hemisphere with preserved awareness and an unusual rising sensation in the stomach?

   1. AFocal impaired awareness seizure
   2. BFocal aware seizure
   3. CGeneralized absence seizure
   4. DUnknown onset motor seizure
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: B. Focal aware seizure

   Preserved awareness with onset in one network defines a focal aware seizure. Impaired awareness would be focal impaired awareness. Absence is generalized and the onset here is known.

   Reference: Fisher RS et al., Operational classification of seizure types by the International League Against Epilepsy, Epilepsia 2017;58:522-530

2. Question 2Abnormal EEG, Seizures and Epilepsyhard

   Which statement about hyperventilation during routine EEG is correct?

   1. AIt is required for every patient regardless of condition
   2. BIt lasts 10 minutes and is performed before electrode placement
   3. CIt is more effective in elderly patients than in children
   4. DIt is avoided in patients with recent intracranial hemorrhage or severe cardiopulmonary disease
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: D. It is avoided in patients with recent intracranial hemorrhage or severe cardiopulmonary disease

   Hyperventilation is usually 3 to 5 minutes and is relatively contraindicated in recent stroke or hemorrhage, sickle cell disease and significant cardiac or pulmonary disease. It is not mandatory, follows electrode placement and works best in children.

   Reference: American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, Guideline 1: Minimum Technical Requirements for Performing Clinical Electroencephalography (2016)

3. Question 3EEG Instrumentation and Recording Techniquemedium

   A routine EEG is recorded in the UAE with strong 50 Hz interference on several channels. After checking electrodes and cables, which setting is the appropriate temporary option?

   1. ARaise the low-frequency filter to 20 Hz, which removes the interference but also much slow activity
   2. BApply the 50 Hz notch filter and note on the record that it was used
   3. CLower the high-frequency filter to 5 Hz, which clears the noise but also removes fast activity
   4. DDouble the sensitivity to 3.5 microvolts per mm, which makes the interference easier to see
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: B. Apply the 50 Hz notch filter and note on the record that it was used

   UAE mains frequency is 50 Hz, so a 50 Hz notch filter reduces line noise, though it should be documented and the cause corrected. Raising the low filter or lowering the high filter distorts the EEG. Higher sensitivity enlarges the noise.

   Reference: American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, Guideline 1: Minimum Technical Requirements for Performing Clinical Electroencephalography (2016)

4. Question 4Evoked Potentials, Nerve Conduction and EMGmedium

   In a nerve conduction study, how is motor conduction velocity between two stimulation sites calculated?

   1. ALatency divided by the amplitude of the compound muscle action potential at one site
   2. BDistance between the sites divided by the difference between the two latencies
   3. CAmplitude multiplied by the distance between the stimulation sites on the nerve
   4. DDistal latency alone divided by two, taken at the more distal site only
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: B. Distance between the sites divided by the difference between the two latencies

   Velocity equals the distance between the stimulation sites divided by the difference between proximal and distal latencies, which cancels the neuromuscular junction delay. The other formulas are not used.

   Reference: Preston DC, Shapiro BE, Electromyography and Neuromuscular Disorders, 4th ed. (2021)

5. Question 5Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiologyeasy

   During a routine EEG the technologist must name the lobe that contains the primary visual cortex, to understand why eye opening changes the posterior rhythm. Which lobe is it?

   1. ATemporal lobe, near the lateral sulcus
   2. BParietal lobe, behind the central sulcus
   3. CFrontal lobe, in front of the central sulcus
   4. DOccipital lobe, behind the parieto-occipital sulcus
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: D. Occipital lobe, behind the parieto-occipital sulcus

   The primary visual cortex lies in the occipital lobe, which is why posterior electrodes O1 and O2 show the visually reactive posterior dominant rhythm. The temporal lobe handles hearing and memory, the parietal lobe somatosensation and the frontal lobe motor and executive functions.

   Reference: Kandel ER et al., Principles of Neural Science, 6th ed. (2021)

6. Question 6Evoked Potentials, Nerve Conduction and EMGmedium

   Which finding on needle EMG at rest suggests active denervation?

   1. ANormal insertional activity with silence
   2. BLarge polyphasic motor unit potentials at full effort
   3. CFibrillation potentials and positive sharp waves
   4. DReduced recruitment of normal motor units
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: C. Fibrillation potentials and positive sharp waves

   Fibrillation potentials and positive sharp waves at rest indicate active denervation. Large polyphasic units suggest chronic reinnervation, and reduced recruitment is a voluntary-activity finding.

   Reference: Preston DC, Shapiro BE, Electromyography and Neuromuscular Disorders, 4th ed. (2021)

7. Question 7Normal EEG and Artifactshard

   A teenager has arch-shaped 8 to 10 Hz activity over the central regions that disappears when the right hand is clenched. What is the correct interpretation?

   1. APathological sharp waves of the left central region that would persist during movement
   2. BPosterior dominant rhythm that has shifted anteriorly because of drowsiness
   3. CMu rhythm, a normal central variant blocked by movement of the opposite hand
   4. DMuscle artifact from the scalp that would be fast and irregular rather than arch-shaped
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: C. Mu rhythm, a normal central variant blocked by movement of the opposite hand

   Mu rhythm is a normal central arch-shaped rhythm that attenuates with movement or the thought of movement of the opposite limb. Sharp waves would not block with movement, the PDR lies posteriorly, and muscle artifact is fast and irregular.

   Reference: Tatum WO, Handbook of EEG Interpretation, 3rd ed. (2021)

8. Question 8Normal EEG and Artifactseasy

   What normally happens to the posterior alpha rhythm when a relaxed adult opens the eyes?

   1. AIt doubles in amplitude
   2. BIt becomes asymmetric
   3. CIt changes into spikes
   4. DIt attenuates
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: D. It attenuates

   Eye opening and visual attention attenuate the alpha rhythm, called alpha blocking. Increase, asymmetry or spikes are not expected.

   Reference: Tatum WO, Handbook of EEG Interpretation, 3rd ed. (2021)

9. Question 9Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiologymedium

   Which neurotransmitter is the main inhibitory transmitter in the cerebral cortex, and why does this matter when a patient takes a benzodiazepine before an EEG?

   1. AGlutamate, because benzodiazepines block it and cause generalized slowing
   2. BDopamine, because benzodiazepines raise it and increase alpha power
   3. CAcetylcholine, because benzodiazepines lower it and suppress sleep spindles
   4. DGABA, because benzodiazepines enhance its effect and increase beta activity
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: D. GABA, because benzodiazepines enhance its effect and increase beta activity

   GABA is the major inhibitory transmitter. Benzodiazepines potentiate GABA-A receptors and produce diffuse excess beta activity. Glutamate is the main excitatory transmitter and is not blocked by benzodiazepines. Dopamine and acetylcholine are not the targets.

   Reference: Kandel ER et al., Principles of Neural Science, 6th ed. (2021)

10. Question 10Patient Care, Infection Control and Safetyhard

    A patient on the ward has a documented history of seizures triggered by flashing lights. What should the technologist do before photic stimulation?

    1. ASkip the history and run the standard program
    2. BUse the highest frequency continuously for 5 minutes
    3. CInform the physician and obtain the order, keeping the patient observed and ready to stop if a seizure begins
    4. DPerform the test with the lights fully on
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: C. Inform the physician and obtain the order, keeping the patient observed and ready to stop if a seizure begins

    Photic stimulation can provoke seizures in photosensitive patients, so it is done under physician direction with close observation and is stopped on any epileptiform response. Ignoring the history or prolonged stimulation is unsafe.

    Reference: American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, Guideline 1: Minimum Technical Requirements for Performing Clinical Electroencephalography (2016)

11. Question 11Professional Practice and Ethicseasy

    A relative asks the technologist for the EEG result straight after the test. What is the correct response?

    1. AExplain that the neurologist interprets the study and will give the result
    2. BDescribe the abnormalities seen on the screen
    3. CGive a copy of the raw trace
    4. DSay that everything was normal to reassure them
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: A. Explain that the neurologist interprets the study and will give the result

    Technologists record and do not interpret or disclose findings, which belong to the reporting physician. Giving details or false reassurance exceeds scope.

    Reference: Ebersole JS, Pedley TA, Current Practice of Clinical Electroencephalography, 4th ed. (2014)

12. Question 12Normal EEG and Artifactsmedium

    Frontal electrodes Fp1 and Fp2 show slow, symmetric, positive deflections lasting about 300 ms, appearing when the patient blinks. What is this?

    1. AFrontal intermittent rhythmic delta activity, which is not time-locked to blinking
    2. BBilateral frontal spikes, which are brief and followed by a slow wave
    3. CElectrode pop at both Fp electrodes, which would be abrupt and single-channel
    4. DEye blink artifact caused by the cornea-retinal dipole moving with the eyelid
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: D. Eye blink artifact caused by the cornea-retinal dipole moving with the eyelid

    Blink artifact is a bifrontal positive deflection as the positively charged cornea moves toward the electrodes with eyelid closure. It coincides with the blink. FIRDA is rhythmic and not time-locked to blinks. Spikes are brief, and pops are single-electrode.

    Reference: Ebersole JS, Pedley TA, Current Practice of Clinical Electroencephalography, 4th ed. (2014)

13. Question 13Normal EEG and Artifactsmedium

    A very abrupt, high-amplitude, single-channel discharge with no field spread appears at one electrode only. What is the most likely cause?

    1. AElectrode pop from a sudden impedance change
    2. BA focal cortical spike with a field of spread across neighboring electrodes
    3. CA normal sleep vertex wave seen over the midline in drowsiness
    4. DPhotic driving that follows the flash frequency during stimulation
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: A. Electrode pop from a sudden impedance change

    A pop has a steep rise, is restricted to one electrode and shows no plausible field. Cerebral spikes and vertex waves involve neighboring electrodes. Photic driving follows flash stimulation.

    Reference: Ebersole JS, Pedley TA, Current Practice of Clinical Electroencephalography, 4th ed. (2014)

14. Question 14Normal EEG and Artifactsmedium

    A patient moves from drowsiness into stage N2 sleep. Which pair of waveforms is characteristic of N2?

    1. ASleep spindles and K-complexes
    2. BLambda waves and mu rhythm
    3. CAlpha rhythm and beta spindles
    4. DTriphasic waves and periodic sharp complexes
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: A. Sleep spindles and K-complexes

    Stage N2 shows sleep spindles (11 to 16 Hz) and K-complexes. Lambda and mu are waking phenomena, alpha is waking, and triphasic and periodic complexes are abnormal patterns.

    Reference: Tatum WO, Handbook of EEG Interpretation, 3rd ed. (2021)

15. Question 15Patient Care, Infection Control and Safetymedium

    Flexible collodion is used to secure electrodes for a long recording. Which safety measure is essential?

    1. AApply it to the face over open skin wounds
    2. BMix it with oxygen to dry faster
    3. CStore it near the cautery unit for convenience
    4. DUse it in a ventilated area, away from flames, because it is flammable and contains solvents
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: D. Use it in a ventilated area, away from flames, because it is flammable and contains solvents

    Collodion contains ether and alcohol solvents that are flammable and irritant, so ventilation and no ignition sources are needed. It should not be placed on broken skin or near oxygen or heat sources.

    Reference: Ebersole JS, Pedley TA, Current Practice of Clinical Electroencephalography, 4th ed. (2014)

Last reviewed September 2026. Questions are original and written to the published exam blueprint; they are not taken from any real paper.