FREE BRPT AASM Scoring of Respiratory and Cardiac Events Questions and Answers

Question 1

An obstructive apnea is scored when there is a drop in the peak signal excursion of airflow by at least 90% for a duration of at least 10 seconds, and which other condition is met?

Accepted Answer

There is continued or increased inspiratory effort.

Answer

The key feature distinguishing an obstructive apnea from a central apnea is the presence of respiratory effort. Despite the near-complete cessation of airflow, the patient's chest and/or abdomen continue to move, indicating an effort to breathe against a blocked airway.

Question 2

According to the AASM Recommended hypopnea rule (1A), a hypopnea is scored when there is a drop in airflow of at least 30% for 10 seconds or more, associated with what?

Accepted Answer

A ≥3% oxygen desaturation or an arousal.

Answer

The recommended AASM scoring rule for a hypopnea requires both a significant reduction in airflow (≥30% for ≥10 seconds) and a clear physiological consequence. This consequence is defined as either an oxygen desaturation of at least 3% or an arousal from sleep.

Question 3

A central sleep apnea event is characterized by a cessation of airflow for at least 10 seconds and what defining feature?

Accepted Answer

Absence of inspiratory effort.

Answer

Unlike an obstructive apnea where effort continues, a central apnea is defined by the absence of inspiratory effort throughout the entire period of airflow cessation. This indicates that the brain did not send the signal to breathe.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the pattern of Cheyne-Stokes Respiration (CSR)?

Accepted Answer

A crescendo-decrescendo pattern of breathing with central apneas.

Answer

Cheyne-Stokes Respiration is a specific pattern of central sleep apnea most often seen in patients with congestive heart failure. It is characterized by a cyclical, waxing and waning (crescendo-decrescendo) pattern of breathing effort and airflow, interspersed with central apneas or hypopneas.

Question 5

A Respiratory Effort-Related Arousal (RERA) is a sequence of breaths lasting at least 10 seconds that is characterized by increasing respiratory effort and that leads to what?

Accepted Answer

An arousal from sleep.

Answer

A RERA is an event that does not meet the criteria for an apnea or hypopnea but still disrupts sleep. It is defined by a period of increasing respiratory effort (e.g., flattening of the nasal pressure waveform) that culminates in an arousal from sleep.

BRPT - Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists Practice Test

BRPT - Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists Practice Test

FREE BRPT AASM Scoring of Respiratory and Cardiac Events Questions and Answers