Burst Suppression EEG Pattern — FRCA Primary MCQ
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Correct answer: D — High-amplitude bursts separated by periods of electrical suppression
The best answer is “High-amplitude bursts separated by periods of electrical suppression”. Burst suppression consists of intermittent high-amplitude bursts separated by near-isoelectric suppressed epochs. It can occur during very deep anaesthesia, hypothermia or severe cerebral injury. Continuous delta activity, beta activity and normal sleep graphoelements have different meanings and do not contain the defining alternating suppression periods.
Reference: Royal College of Anaesthetists, Primary FRCA Syllabus 2021: https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/sites/default/files/documents/2026-01/Primary-FRCA-Syllabus.pdf