Best Practices & Methodologies Flashcards

During a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), nap opportunities are scheduled every how many hours following the termination of the nocturnal PSG?

Answer: 2 hours

MSLT nap opportunities are scheduled every 2 hours, with the first nap typically beginning 1.5–3 hours after the morning termination of the nocturnal PSG.

For pediatric patients (aged 2–13 years), what slow-wave amplitude threshold differs from adult AASM scoring criteria?

Answer: Children use >50 µV instead of >75 µV for N3 scoring

Pediatric AASM scoring rules lower the N3 slow-wave amplitude threshold to >50 µV (compared to >75 µV in adults) because children normally generate higher-amplitude slow waves.

What infection control measure is required between patients for reusable PSG electrodes?

Answer: High-level disinfection or sterilization per manufacturer guidelines

Reusable electrodes that contact intact skin require at minimum high-level disinfection (or sterilization) following manufacturer guidelines and facility infection control policies.

A patient becomes increasingly agitated and attempts to remove electrodes during a PSG. What is the FIRST action a technologist should take?

Answer: Enter the patient room, calmly reorient the patient, and assess for safety

The first action is to enter the room, reorient the patient, and assess the situation for safety—standard patient care before any intervention.

Which documentation element is REQUIRED in the PSG technologist's report for every study?

Answer: Lights-out and lights-on times with patient-reported sleep quality

Lights-out and lights-on times establish the time-in-bed and opportunity for sleep, which are essential parameters for all PSG report documentation.

Transcutaneous CO₂ (TcCO₂) monitoring is most critical for detecting hypoventilation in which patient population?

Answer: Pediatric patients and those with suspected obesity hypoventilation syndrome

TcCO₂ monitoring is particularly important in pediatric patients and those with OHS or neuromuscular disease where hypoventilation may not be detected by SpO₂ alone.

Periodic limb movements (PLMs) scored during PSG require a series of at least how many consecutive limb movements?

Answer: 4

A PLM series requires ≥4 consecutive leg movements each lasting 0.5–10 seconds, separated by 5–90 seconds, to be scored as a PLM series.