To aid in the diagnosis of nervous system lesions and abnormalities

To monitor spinal cord function during spinal surgery

To assess neurologic function

To evaluate neurologic function in infants

To monitor comatose or anesthetized patients

Make sure that the consent form is signed by the child’s parents or legal guardians.

Note and report all allergies.

Provide reassurance to the child that the electrodes won’t hurt, but that he may feel a small shock when somatosensory evoked responses occur.

Encourage the child to relax because tension can affect the test results.

Inform the child and his parents that the test takes 45 to 60 minutes.

The child is positioned in a reclining or straight-backed chair or on a bed.