RPSGT Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield RPSGT facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which of the following BEST describes a needs assessment in the context of sleep services strategic planning? → A systematic process to identify gaps between current and desired states of service
2. A full-face mask (oronasal mask) is typically indicated over a nasal mask when a patient: → Is a confirmed mouth breather or has significant mouth leak
3. An arousal in PSG is defined as an abrupt shift in EEG frequency lasting at least how long? → 3 seconds
4. According to AASM rules, a central apnea must have absent respiratory effort and last at least: → 10 seconds
5. According to AASM guidelines, which combination of features is required to score an epoch as Stage REM? → Low-amplitude mixed-frequency EEG + rapid eye movements + low chin EMG
6. In a PSG report, the respiratory disturbance index (RDI) differs from AHI because it also includes: → Respiratory effort-related arousals (RERAs)
7. Which criterion best distinguishes idiopathic hypersomnia from narcolepsy type 1 on MSLT? → Mean sleep latency under 8 minutes with fewer than 2 SOREMPs
8. CPAP heated humidification is used primarily to: → Prevent nasal dryness and improve CPAP adherence
9. A nasal pressure transducer is preferred over a thermistor for detecting hypopneas because it: → Better detects flow limitation via waveform flattening
10. A pharmaceutical company offers an RPSGT a cash gift in exchange for recommending their sleep medication to patients. Accepting this gift would be: → A conflict of interest and an ethical violation
11. Which of the following best describes a 'span of control' in a sleep center management context? → The number of subordinates a manager directly supervises
12. During a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), nap opportunities are scheduled every how many hours following the termination of the nocturnal PSG? → 2 hours
13. What is the role of benchmarking in establishing best practices? → Comparing performance against top performers to identify improvement opportunities
14. During biocalibrations, a technologist asks the patient to breathe normally for 30 seconds. What is the primary purpose of this step? → Verify respiratory channel function and waveform morphology
15. Alpha rhythm is defined as EEG activity in the frequency range of: → 8–13 Hz
16. What is the primary goal of quality assurance in professional practice? → To ensure consistent delivery of products or services that meet established standards
17. Sawtooth waves during polysomnography are most commonly associated with which sleep stage? → REM
18. What characterizes a high-performing team? → Clear goals, mutual trust, open communication, and shared accountability
19. A final PSG report shows sleep onset latency of 45 minutes. How should this be interpreted? → Mildly prolonged
20. Which neurotransmitter system is primarily implicated in the pathophysiology of narcolepsy type 1? → Hypocretin/orexin neurons in the lateral hypothalamus
21. What is the most important element of effective professional communication? → Clarity and accuracy of the message tailored to the audience
22. Which document serves as the primary legal record linking a sleep technician to a specific study? → The technician's signed attestation or signature on the PSG report
23. Which patient population requires the most heightened fall risk assessment in the sleep laboratory specifically due to medication effects? → Elderly patients taking benzodiazepines or sedative-hypnotics for insomnia
24. Sleep spindles are generated primarily by thalamo-cortical circuits and are typically recorded at maximum amplitude over which scalp region? → Central (C3, C4)
25. Why is continuous improvement important in quality management? → Because standards evolve, competitors improve, and customer expectations change
26. A patient becomes agitated during the night and refuses to continue the sleep study. What is the most appropriate first response by the RPSGT? → Calmly explain the importance of the study and address the patient's concerns
27. Leg movements during sleep are considered periodic (PLMs) when they occur in groups of at least how many consecutive movements? → 4
28. Stage N3 is scored when high-amplitude slow-wave activity occupies what proportion of an epoch? → >20%
29. A sleep laboratory plans to add home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) services. The FIRST strategic consideration should be: → Assessing market demand, referral patterns, and reimbursement viability
30. What does "informed consent" require in professional practice? → Providing complete, understandable information so individuals can make voluntary decisions