Certified Polysomnographic Technician Certification Certified Polysomnographic Technician Certification Sleep Scoring & Staging

Question 1

According to AASM scoring rules, what EEG frequency range defines Stage N2 sleep spindles?

Accepted Answer

12–16 Hz

Answer

Sleep spindles are defined by AASM as bursts of 12–16 Hz activity lasting at least 0.5 seconds, characteristic of N2 sleep.

Question 2

Which feature is REQUIRED to score a 30-second epoch as Stage N3?

Accepted Answer

Slow wave activity (0.5–2 Hz, ≥75 µV) occupying ≥20% of the epoch

Answer

N3 requires slow wave activity of 0.5–2 Hz with peak-to-peak amplitude ≥75 µV occupying ≥20% of the epoch at F3, F4, or Fz.

Question 3

During REM sleep scoring, which eye channel finding is most characteristic?

Accepted Answer

Rapid, conjugate, irregular eye movements

Answer

REM sleep is characterized by rapid, irregular, conjugate eye movements recorded on the EOG channels.

Question 4

What is the minimum duration of a respiratory event to score it as an obstructive apnea per AASM guidelines?

Accepted Answer

10 seconds

Answer

An obstructive apnea requires ≥90% drop in the peak signal excursion lasting ≥10 seconds with continued or increased respiratory effort.

Question 5

When scoring a hypopnea using the AASM recommended criteria, what percent reduction in nasal pressure signal amplitude is required?

Accepted Answer

30%

Answer

AASM recommended criteria require a ≥30% reduction in nasal pressure signal amplitude lasting ≥10 seconds with ≥3% oxygen desaturation or an arousal.

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