What changes in SSEP would occur during a positioning effect of the left arm?

During a positioning effect of the left arm, specific changes in Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SSEP) can be observed due to altered nerve conduction or increased mechanical pressure on specific pathways. The correct answer indicates a decrease in amplitude, an increase in latency, and a loss of responses at key points such as the left Erb's point, left subcortical area, and right cortical area.

When the left arm is positioned in such a way that it affects the brachial plexus or the peripheral nerves innervating that arm, electrical signals may not be transmitted efficiently. This leads to a noticeable drop in the amplitude of the SSEP, which reflects a decreased number of activated nerve fibers or reduced signal strength.

Increased latency suggests that there is a delay in signal transmission, potentially due to compression or stretching of the nerves, which affects the speed at which the impulses travel. This increase in latency is an important indicator of nerve impairment or injury.

Moreover, the loss of responses at specific locations such as the left Erb's, left subcortical area, and right cortical area highlights the pathway that has been affected. The Erb's point is a critical area where nerves from the cervical plexus come together