Certified Polysomnographic Technician Certification Certified Polysomnographic Technician Certification Sleep Scoring & Staging 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does an Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) of 15–30 events per hour classify as?
- Mild OSA
- Moderate OSA (Correct answer)
- Severe OSA
- Normal sleep
Correct answer: Moderate OSA
An AHI of 15–30 events/hour is classified as moderate obstructive sleep apnea per AASM severity criteria.
Question 2: Which EEG electrode placement corresponds to the left central region per the 10-20 system?
- C4
- C3 (Correct answer)
- Cz
- F3
Correct answer: C3
C3 is the left central electrode in the 10-20 system and is a primary derivation for sleep stage scoring.
Question 3: A leg movement scored during PSG must last at least how long to be counted?
- 0.1 seconds
- 0.5 seconds (Correct answer)
- 1 second
- 2 seconds
Correct answer: 0.5 seconds
AASM criteria require a leg movement duration of 0.5 to 10 seconds to be scored as a periodic limb movement.
Question 4: What is the AASM recommended minimum sampling rate for EEG channels in a digital PSG system?
- 128 Hz
- 200 Hz
- 256 Hz (Correct answer)
- 512 Hz
Correct answer: 256 Hz
AASM recommends a minimum sampling rate of 256 Hz for EEG channels to accurately capture sleep-related waveforms.
Question 5: During NREM sleep, which waveform appears as a high-amplitude biphasic waveform and can occur spontaneously or in response to stimuli?
- Sleep spindle
- Vertex sharp wave
- K-complex (Correct answer)
- POSTS
Correct answer: K-complex
K-complexes are high-amplitude biphasic waveforms with a negative sharp deflection followed by a positive component, seen in N2 sleep.
Question 6: Which parameter is used to calculate the Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI)?
- Apneas + hypopneas only
- Apneas + hypopneas + RERAs (Correct answer)
- Hypopneas + oxygen desaturations
- Apneas + leg movements
Correct answer: Apneas + hypopneas + RERAs
RDI includes apneas, hypopneas, AND respiratory effort-related arousals (RERAs) divided by total sleep time.
Certified Polysomnographic Technician Certification Certified Polysomnographic Technician Certification Sleep Scoring & Staging 2
What does an Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) of 15–30 events per hour classify as?