Blind People: alpha waves or beta waves?

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My friend just took his step 1 and got a question about blind people and whether they were operating on alpha waves or beta waves. Anyone know the answer to this?

 

[drmota]

thats gotta be alpha. i think what they were getting at is "what waves do non-blind people have with their eyes closed". alpha. so same concept as a blind person. i would think.

 

[docmd2010]

I would probably say beta- since even though they are unable to see, they are still alert, which would produce beta waves.

But i can understand your reasoning for alpha waves as well.

 

[45408]

My friend just took his step 1 and got a question about blind people and whether they were operating on alpha waves or beta waves. Anyone know the answer to this?

Clearly, this is critical information we should all be tested on.

 

[Flopotomist]

thats gotta be alpha. i think what they were getting at is "what waves do non-blind people have with their eyes closed". alpha. so same concept as a blind person. i would think.

I would go with alpha as well. Beta would be if you were alert with eyes open, alpha is alert with eyes closed - right?

 

[hardy]

From what I found online I think it should be beta. Alpha is found in a relaxed state which we usually associate with the eyes closed. But somebody who is blind is not in a relaxed state (most of the time) and therefore has beta waves. Besides, most blind people have their eyes open.

 

[tfom08]

haha, that's a crazy question...

 

[MSKalltheway]

I would be inclined to say beta so long as they are in an aroused state. I also can see why it would be justifiable for the answer to be alpha.

But I agree with Prowler, I cant see why that would ever matter.

 

[Tiger26]

I thought beta as well, but come on, wtf

 

[luhando]

probably an experimental ?

 

[Clemson Doc]

I am leaning toward beta as well, because the fact that they are alert outweighs the fact that their eyes are closed. In other words, alpha waves seem to be associated with a relaxed state more than they are with the eyes being closed. But I could certainly see it either way.

I agree that this question is silly. Come on, USMLE!

 

[UCLAstudent]

But I could certainly see it either way.

No pun intended? 😉

My guess is beta. As others mentioned, it makes sense that the wave pattern is related to the patient's state of arousal, not the ability of light to be transmitted to the brain.

 

[Clemson Doc]

No pun intended? 😉

No pun intended at all. Too funny!

 

[Its_MurDAH]

This question seems just as dumb as the one someone else mentioned about what number SPF you would tell the patient to use.
What is this, a f*ckin joke?

 

[MedLover25]

I would probably say beta- since even though they are unable to see, they are still alert, which would produce beta waves.

But i can understand your reasoning for alpha waves as well.

I'd go with beta as well. It's trying to test a concept

 

[Hayat]

If the answer is really beta, what is the point of the question?

 

[The Angriest Bird]

This is a perfect example that no matter how hard you study, the exam can always kick you in the nuts

 

[Femtochemistry]

beta waves...i asked my blind friend