Which action should the nurse include in preparing Alanna for the EEG?

• A. Advise the client not to eat anything for 12 hours prior to the procedure.
• B. Instruct the client to refrain from consuming caffeine prior to the EEG.
• C. Explain that there will be some discomfort during the procedure.
• D. Determine if Alanna has any allergies to iodine or shellfish.

Answer: (B)

Caffeine can alter brain electrical activity and create artifacts on an EEG tracing. The test measures the brain’s electrical signals through scalp electrodes, and stimulants like caffeine can increase neuronal firing and change wave patterns, which can obscure or mimic abnormalities. Instructing Alanna not to consume caffeine before the EEG helps produce a clearer, more accurate baseline for interpretation. The procedure is painless, and fasting isn’t typically required, so those factors aren’t necessary prep. Allergies to iodine or shellfish aren’t relevant to a standard EEG since no iodine-based contrast is used.