Physiological Monitoring Flashcards
7 cards from real CPE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Physiological Monitoring flashcards as text
In polygraph cardio recordings, relative blood pressure (RBP) is considered 'relative' because:
Answer: It records changes in arterial wall movement rather than true mmHg values
RBP is called 'relative' because the arm cuff records changes in arterial expansion (cardiograph waveforms) rather than calibrated absolute pressure values in mmHg.
Which autonomic branch is primarily responsible for producing the physiological responses that polygraph instruments measure during a deceptive response?
Answer: Sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight)
The sympathetic nervous system drives the fight-or-flight response, causing the increases in EDA, heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory changes detected by the polygraph.
A 'suppression' response in the EDA channel is characterized by:
Answer: A flattening or decrease in EDA activity compared to the resting level
Suppression in EDA refers to a reduction or flattening of activity, sometimes associated with countermeasures or a strong inhibitory response.
What is the significance of measuring BOTH thoracic and abdominal respiration channels in a polygraph exam?
Answer: It allows detection of differential breathing shifts that may indicate countermeasure use or suppression
Monitoring both channels allows examiners to detect shifts between chest and belly breathing patterns, which may signal deliberate breath control or other countermeasures.
A photoplethysmograph (PPG) sensor used in some polygraph systems primarily detects:
Answer: Volumetric changes in blood flow through peripheral capillaries via infrared light
PPG uses infrared light to detect changes in blood volume in peripheral tissues such as the fingertip, providing an alternative or supplementary cardiovascular channel.
In polygraphy, 'hyperventilation' before or during a test is considered significant because it:
Answer: Can suppress physiological reactions and lower CO2, potentially masking deceptive responses
Hyperventilation reduces CO2 levels, which can blunt physiological responsivity and is therefore recognized as a potential countermeasure that may reduce detectable deceptive responses.
The 'inter-beat interval' (IBI) in cardiovascular polygraph data refers to:
Answer: The time elapsed between consecutive heartbeats (R-to-R interval)
IBI is the time interval between successive heartbeats (R-to-R), and variations in IBI reflect heart rate variability, which is an emerging measure in some polygraph research.