CPE Physiological Monitoring 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which component of the pneumograph measures respiratory effort during a polygraph examination?
- A convoluted rubber tube placed around the thorax or abdomen (Correct answer)
- A metal electrode attached to the fingertip
- A cuff inflated around the upper arm
- A piezoelectric sensor clipped to the earlobe
Correct answer: A convoluted rubber tube placed around the thorax or abdomen
The pneumograph uses a convoluted rubber tube that expands and contracts with breathing, recording thoracic and abdominal respiratory movement.
Question 2: In polygraph physiology, 'baseline' respiration is best described as:
- The fastest respiratory rate observed during questioning
- The normal, undisturbed breathing pattern recorded before relevant questions begin (Correct answer)
- The deepest breath the subject takes during the exam
- Breathing recorded only during countermeasure detection phases
Correct answer: The normal, undisturbed breathing pattern recorded before relevant questions begin
Baseline respiration represents the subject's normal breathing pattern established during neutral or irrelevant questioning, used as a reference for comparison.
Question 3: A sudden increase in electrodermal activity (EDA) most directly indicates:
- Increased parasympathetic nervous system activation
- Activation of eccrine sweat glands controlled by the sympathetic nervous system (Correct answer)
- A decrease in blood pressure
- Slower heart rate due to vagal tone
Correct answer: Activation of eccrine sweat glands controlled by the sympathetic nervous system
EDA increases result from eccrine sweat gland secretion, which is controlled exclusively by the sympathetic nervous system and reflects arousal or stress.
Question 4: What does a 'staircase' pattern in the cardio channel of a polygraph typically suggest?
- Normal sinus rhythm with no deception indicators
- Progressive rise in relative blood pressure over successive questions (Correct answer)
- A technical artifact from electrode movement
- Parasympathetic suppression of heart rate
Correct answer: Progressive rise in relative blood pressure over successive questions
A staircase pattern reflects a stepwise rise in relative blood pressure across question presentations, often associated with psychological arousal or deceptive responses.
Question 5: During polygraph testing, 'apnea' in the pneumograph channel refers to:
- An unusually deep inhalation followed by slow exhalation
- A temporary cessation or suppression of breathing (Correct answer)
- Rapid shallow breathing exceeding 25 cycles per minute
- A split-second spike in abdominal movement
Correct answer: A temporary cessation or suppression of breathing
Apnea is a pause or cessation of respiratory movement and is considered a significant deception indicator when it occurs at relevant questions.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the 'galvanic skin response' (GSR) as measured in polygraph exams?
- Changes in skin temperature caused by blood vessel dilation
- Changes in skin electrical conductance caused by sweat gland activity (Correct answer)
- Muscle tension recorded from the surface of the forearm
- Capillary refill time assessed at the fingertip
Correct answer: Changes in skin electrical conductance caused by sweat gland activity
GSR (also called electrodermal response) measures changes in skin electrical conductance that occur when sweat glands are activated by sympathetic arousal.
Question 7: The 'upper respiratory' pneumograph component is placed at which anatomical location?
- Around the lower abdomen just above the navel
- Around the thoracic (chest) region (Correct answer)
- Around the wrist to detect pulse
- Around the thigh to measure leg movement
Correct answer: Around the thoracic (chest) region
The upper (thoracic) pneumograph tube is placed around the chest to measure thoracic breathing effort, while a second tube monitors abdominal movement.
CPE Physiological Monitoring 2
Which component of the pneumograph measures respiratory effort during a polygraph examination?