1. What does a significant reduction in MEP amplitude without
complete loss suggest?
A. Minor technical artifact
B. Temporary neural compromise
C. Irreversible motor pathway injury
D. Loss of sensory pathways
Answer: B
Rationale: Partial reduction in amplitude may indicate transient neural
compromise, such as ischemia or mechanical pressure.
2. 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.
,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 is the optimal stimulation site for upper extremity SSEPs?
A. Median nerve
B. Ulnar nerve
C. Radial nerve
D. Brachial plexus
Answer: A
Rationale: The median nerve is commonly stimulated for upper
extremity SSEPs.
5. What is the role of a baseline recording in IONM?
A. To identify technical issues
B. To establish normal patient responses
, C. To predict postoperative outcomes
D. To monitor anesthesia depth
Answer: B
Rationale: Baseline recordings establish the patient’s normal responses
for comparison during surgery.
6. Why is hypothermia a concern during IONM?
A. It increases signal amplitude
B. It prolongs latency in evoked potentials
C. It improves neural conduction
D. It enhances muscle responses
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypothermia slows neural conduction and prolongs the
latency of evoked potentials.
7. Which modality is best for monitoring corticospinal tract function?
A. SSEPs
B. BAEPs
C. MEPs
D. EMG
Answer: C
Rationale: MEPs directly assess corticospinal tract integrity.
complete loss suggest?
A. Minor technical artifact
B. Temporary neural compromise
C. Irreversible motor pathway injury
D. Loss of sensory pathways
Answer: B
Rationale: Partial reduction in amplitude may indicate transient neural
compromise, such as ischemia or mechanical pressure.
2. 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.
,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 is the optimal stimulation site for upper extremity SSEPs?
A. Median nerve
B. Ulnar nerve
C. Radial nerve
D. Brachial plexus
Answer: A
Rationale: The median nerve is commonly stimulated for upper
extremity SSEPs.
5. What is the role of a baseline recording in IONM?
A. To identify technical issues
B. To establish normal patient responses
, C. To predict postoperative outcomes
D. To monitor anesthesia depth
Answer: B
Rationale: Baseline recordings establish the patient’s normal responses
for comparison during surgery.
6. Why is hypothermia a concern during IONM?
A. It increases signal amplitude
B. It prolongs latency in evoked potentials
C. It improves neural conduction
D. It enhances muscle responses
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypothermia slows neural conduction and prolongs the
latency of evoked potentials.
7. Which modality is best for monitoring corticospinal tract function?
A. SSEPs
B. BAEPs
C. MEPs
D. EMG
Answer: C
Rationale: MEPs directly assess corticospinal tract integrity.
