1. What is the purpose of SSEPs in IONM?
A. Monitor peripheral nerve function
B. Assess sensory pathways from peripheral nerves to the brain
C. Evaluate motor pathways
D. Detect muscle activity
Answer: B
Rationale: SSEPs assess the functional integrity of sensory pathways,
typically from the peripheral nerves to the somatosensory cortex.
2. Which parameter is most sensitive to ischemia in SSEPs?
A. Amplitude
B. Latency
C. Frequency
D. Duration
Answer: A
Rationale: A reduction in amplitude is typically the most sensitive
indicator of ischemia in SSEPs.
3. Which modality is the most sensitive to ischemia during spine
surgery?
,A. SSEPs
B. MEPs
C. BAEPs
D. EEG
Answer: B
Rationale: MEPs are more sensitive to ischemia than SSEPs because
they assess motor pathway integrity.
4. What anesthetic consideration is crucial for effective IONM?
A. Avoiding all volatile agents
B. Maintaining constant anesthetic depth
C. Using high doses of muscle relaxants
D. Avoiding propofol
Answer: B
Rationale: Stable anesthetic depth ensures consistent monitoring
results and minimizes variability.
5. Which modality is commonly used to monitor the spinal cord during
scoliosis surgery?
A. EEG
B. MEPs and SSEPs
C. BAEPs
, D. Free-running EMG
Answer: B
Rationale: Both MEPs and SSEPs are used to monitor motor and
sensory pathways to ensure spinal cord integrity during scoliosis
correction.
6. Which factor is least likely to affect SSEPs?
A. Hypothermia
B. Muscle relaxants
C. Hypotension
D. Anesthetic depth
Answer: B
Rationale: Muscle relaxants do not directly affect SSEP signals because
they primarily act on neuromuscular junctions, not sensory pathways.
7. Which cranial nerve is monitored using EMG during vestibular
schwannoma surgery?
A. Cranial nerve III
B. Cranial nerve VII
C. Cranial nerve IX
D. Cranial nerve XII
Answer: B
A. Monitor peripheral nerve function
B. Assess sensory pathways from peripheral nerves to the brain
C. Evaluate motor pathways
D. Detect muscle activity
Answer: B
Rationale: SSEPs assess the functional integrity of sensory pathways,
typically from the peripheral nerves to the somatosensory cortex.
2. Which parameter is most sensitive to ischemia in SSEPs?
A. Amplitude
B. Latency
C. Frequency
D. Duration
Answer: A
Rationale: A reduction in amplitude is typically the most sensitive
indicator of ischemia in SSEPs.
3. Which modality is the most sensitive to ischemia during spine
surgery?
,A. SSEPs
B. MEPs
C. BAEPs
D. EEG
Answer: B
Rationale: MEPs are more sensitive to ischemia than SSEPs because
they assess motor pathway integrity.
4. What anesthetic consideration is crucial for effective IONM?
A. Avoiding all volatile agents
B. Maintaining constant anesthetic depth
C. Using high doses of muscle relaxants
D. Avoiding propofol
Answer: B
Rationale: Stable anesthetic depth ensures consistent monitoring
results and minimizes variability.
5. Which modality is commonly used to monitor the spinal cord during
scoliosis surgery?
A. EEG
B. MEPs and SSEPs
C. BAEPs
, D. Free-running EMG
Answer: B
Rationale: Both MEPs and SSEPs are used to monitor motor and
sensory pathways to ensure spinal cord integrity during scoliosis
correction.
6. Which factor is least likely to affect SSEPs?
A. Hypothermia
B. Muscle relaxants
C. Hypotension
D. Anesthetic depth
Answer: B
Rationale: Muscle relaxants do not directly affect SSEP signals because
they primarily act on neuromuscular junctions, not sensory pathways.
7. Which cranial nerve is monitored using EMG during vestibular
schwannoma surgery?
A. Cranial nerve III
B. Cranial nerve VII
C. Cranial nerve IX
D. Cranial nerve XII
Answer: B
