Nursing Implications: EEG Preparation

Nursing Implications for Electroencephalography (EEG)

• Review the patient's clinical record to determine the reason for the scheduled EEG and what the patient has been told about the procedure
• Check the patient's medication history for drugs that may interfere with test results and report positive findings to the charge nurse
• Anticonvulsants, tranquilizers, barbiturates, and other sedatives may interfere with test results
• Approach and identify the patient
• Interview the patient to determine their knowledge of the purpose of the EEG
• Explain the specific purpose of the EEG to the patient
• Explain to the patient events that will occur prior to the EEG, including transportation to the EEG clinic
• Explain to the patient events that will occur during the procedure, including:
  • Attach electrodes to the scalp
  • Instruct the patient to relax with their eyes closed and remain still
  • Assure the patient that the electrodes will not cause electrical shocks
• Explain to the patient events that will occur after the EEG procedure, including:
  • Returning to their room
  • Physician reporting the results of the EEG to the patient when available

Client and Family Teaching for EEG

• The test takes about 30 to 60 minutes
• The test is painless and will be performed while sitting in a comfortable chair or lying on a stretcher
• Electrodes are applied to the scalp with a thick paste
• During the test, the patient will be asked to breathe in and out deeply for a few minutes

CT Scan and Mental Illness

• CT scan shows the tissue and structure of the brain
• Scans can identify lesions in the temporal or frontal lobes of the brain
• Reduced volume in the frontal lobe region indicates depressive disorder
• Increased metabolism also indicates depressive disorder
• Brain scans can show neurodegenerative and depression disorders

Nursing Responsibilities for CT Scan

Before the Procedure

• Obtain informed consent properly signed
• Look for allergies and assess for any history of allergies to iodinated dye or shellfish if contrast media is to be used
• Get health history and ask about recent illnesses or other medical conditions and current medications being taken
• Check for NPO status and instruct the patient to not eat or drink for a period of time if contrast material will be used
• Instruct the patient to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing during the exam
• Provide information about the contrast medium and its possible side effects

During the Procedure

• Instruct the patient to remain still during the examination and to report symptoms of itching, difficulty breathing or swallowing, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or headache
• Inform the patient about the duration of the procedure (15-30 minutes)

After the Procedure

• Diet as usual
• Monitor the patient for any adverse reactions to the contrast medium

Indications for CT Scan

• Detect brain infection, abscess, or necrosis
• Detect ventricular enlargement or displacement
• Determine benign and cancerous intracranial tumors and cyst formation
• Determine cause of increased intracranial pressure
• Determine presence and type of hemorrhage in infants and children
• Determine presence of multiple sclerosis
• Determine lesion size and location causing infarct or hemorrhage
• Differentiate between cerebral infarction and hemorrhage
• Evaluate abnormalities of the middle ear ossicles, auditory nerve, and optic nerve
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of medical, radiation, or surgical therapies

Contraindications for CT Scan

• Patients who are pregnant or suspected of being pregnant
• Patients who are claustrophobic
• Patients with conditions associated with adverse reactions to contrast medium
• Patients with conditions associated with preexisting renal insufficiency
• Elderly and compromised patients who are chronically dehydrated