A nurse is preparing a child for an EEG. What should be avoided before the procedure?

Caffeine consumption should be avoided before an EEG as it can affect the brain's electrical activity. Caffeine is a stimulant that may interfere with the results of the EEG, leading to inaccurate data regarding brain function. It is important for the child to be in a relaxed state during the procedure to achieve accurate and reliable readings.

While food intake, heavy exercise, and bathing or showering may also have implications for the child's comfort or readiness, they do not significantly impact the EEG results in the same way that caffeine does. Therefore, avoiding caffeine is a crucial step in preparing the child for an EEG to ensure that the test reflects the child's actual brain activity without external stimulation affecting the results.