SSEP Exam Questions and Answers
(Latest Update 2026)
What does an increased N13-N20 central conduction time with
normal N9-N13 conduction time and a normal nerve conduction
velocity indicate? -
correct answer ✅lesion above the caudal medulla
What pathway is monitored using SSEPs?
SSEPs are limited to assessment of the dorsal column medial
lemniscus pathway which includes the peripheral sensory neurons,
the posterior columns of the spinal cord, the medial lemniscus
pathway of the brainstem, the thalamus, and the postcentral gyrus
of the cortex. This pathway carries sensory information including
discriminative touch, vibration, and proprioception. -
correct answer ✅the medial lemniscus pathway
The N18 response represents brainstem/thalamus recorded activity
after _____.
--
,SSEP Exam Questions and Answers
(Latest Update 2026)
The N18 potential is recorded from the CPi - EPc montage and
represents brainstem/thalamic post-synaptic activity after upper
extremity stimulation. It is a far-field response. -
correct answer ✅Median and ulnar nerve stimulation
The C5 spine electrode actively records which of the following
waveforms following median nerve stimulation?
-
The C5 spine electrode ONLY records the N13 waveform (which is
the cervical spinal cord waveform). The brainstem waveforms are
recorded by scalp electrodes. -
correct answer ✅N13
CPi - EPc is the appropriate montage for recording ____ following
median nerve stimulation. -
correct answer ✅P14, N18
,SSEP Exam Questions and Answers
(Latest Update 2026)
What is the most appropriate stimulation intensity for median or
tibial nerve SSEPs?
-
Stimuli for mixed nerve SSEP should be above the motor threshold,
at supramaximal intensity, sufficient to cause a 1-2cm movement in
the appropriate muscle groups. Median and ulnar nerve stimuli
produce thumb and fifth finger twitches, while posterior tibial
nerve stimulation produces a foot twitch. Therefore ideally
baselines should be taken in the absence of neuromuscular
blockade. -
correct answer ✅motor threshold +5mA
Which time constant would be the most effective for cutting out
low frequency noise from your SSEP cortical responses?
, SSEP Exam Questions and Answers
(Latest Update 2026)
-
SSEP cortical responses are in the typical frequency range of 100-
200 Hz. That being said, let's see what time constant would give us
a good Low Frequency Filter. Remember the LFF filters out
everything below the cut off frequency and passes higher
frequencies.Formula to Know:Cut off Frequency = 1 / Time
Constant (tc)A- 1/10s= .1 HzB- 1/.01 s= 100 HzC- 1/1s = 1 HzD- 1/.1s
= 10 HzAnswer B would filter out everything below 100 Hz so it
would eliminate all of the frequencies lower than 100 Hz and pass
the desired response and all higher frequencies -
correct answer ✅10 mS
What types of responses can be recorded from Popliteal Fossa
electrodes?
(Latest Update 2026)
What does an increased N13-N20 central conduction time with
normal N9-N13 conduction time and a normal nerve conduction
velocity indicate? -
correct answer ✅lesion above the caudal medulla
What pathway is monitored using SSEPs?
SSEPs are limited to assessment of the dorsal column medial
lemniscus pathway which includes the peripheral sensory neurons,
the posterior columns of the spinal cord, the medial lemniscus
pathway of the brainstem, the thalamus, and the postcentral gyrus
of the cortex. This pathway carries sensory information including
discriminative touch, vibration, and proprioception. -
correct answer ✅the medial lemniscus pathway
The N18 response represents brainstem/thalamus recorded activity
after _____.
--
,SSEP Exam Questions and Answers
(Latest Update 2026)
The N18 potential is recorded from the CPi - EPc montage and
represents brainstem/thalamic post-synaptic activity after upper
extremity stimulation. It is a far-field response. -
correct answer ✅Median and ulnar nerve stimulation
The C5 spine electrode actively records which of the following
waveforms following median nerve stimulation?
-
The C5 spine electrode ONLY records the N13 waveform (which is
the cervical spinal cord waveform). The brainstem waveforms are
recorded by scalp electrodes. -
correct answer ✅N13
CPi - EPc is the appropriate montage for recording ____ following
median nerve stimulation. -
correct answer ✅P14, N18
,SSEP Exam Questions and Answers
(Latest Update 2026)
What is the most appropriate stimulation intensity for median or
tibial nerve SSEPs?
-
Stimuli for mixed nerve SSEP should be above the motor threshold,
at supramaximal intensity, sufficient to cause a 1-2cm movement in
the appropriate muscle groups. Median and ulnar nerve stimuli
produce thumb and fifth finger twitches, while posterior tibial
nerve stimulation produces a foot twitch. Therefore ideally
baselines should be taken in the absence of neuromuscular
blockade. -
correct answer ✅motor threshold +5mA
Which time constant would be the most effective for cutting out
low frequency noise from your SSEP cortical responses?
, SSEP Exam Questions and Answers
(Latest Update 2026)
-
SSEP cortical responses are in the typical frequency range of 100-
200 Hz. That being said, let's see what time constant would give us
a good Low Frequency Filter. Remember the LFF filters out
everything below the cut off frequency and passes higher
frequencies.Formula to Know:Cut off Frequency = 1 / Time
Constant (tc)A- 1/10s= .1 HzB- 1/.01 s= 100 HzC- 1/1s = 1 HzD- 1/.1s
= 10 HzAnswer B would filter out everything below 100 Hz so it
would eliminate all of the frequencies lower than 100 Hz and pass
the desired response and all higher frequencies -
correct answer ✅10 mS
What types of responses can be recorded from Popliteal Fossa
electrodes?
