RPSGT Best Practices & Methodologies 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), nap opportunities are scheduled every how many hours following the termination of the nocturnal PSG?
- 1 hour
- 2 hours (Correct answer)
- 3 hours
- 4 hours
Correct 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.
Question 2: For pediatric patients (aged 2–13 years), what slow-wave amplitude threshold differs from adult AASM scoring criteria?
- Children use >50 µV instead of >75 µV for N3 scoring (Correct answer)
- Children use >100 µV instead of >75 µV for N3 scoring
- Children use >75 µV identical to adult criteria
- Children do not score N3 sleep at all
Correct 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.
Question 3: What infection control measure is required between patients for reusable PSG electrodes?
- Wipe with 70% isopropyl alcohol only
- High-level disinfection or sterilization per manufacturer guidelines (Correct answer)
- Rinse under running water for 2 minutes
- Soak in saline solution for 10 minutes
Correct 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.
Question 4: A patient becomes increasingly agitated and attempts to remove electrodes during a PSG. What is the FIRST action a technologist should take?
- Administer a sedative per protocol
- Enter the patient room, calmly reorient the patient, and assess for safety (Correct answer)
- Terminate the study and discharge the patient
- Increase room temperature to improve patient comfort
Correct 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.
Question 5: Which documentation element is REQUIRED in the PSG technologist's report for every study?
- Interpretation of AHI and diagnosis
- Lights-out and lights-on times with patient-reported sleep quality (Correct answer)
- PAP device serial number
- Referring physician's diagnosis
Correct 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.
Question 6: Transcutaneous CO₂ (TcCO₂) monitoring is most critical for detecting hypoventilation in which patient population?
- Adult patients with insomnia
- Pediatric patients and those with suspected obesity hypoventilation syndrome (Correct answer)
- Patients undergoing CPAP titration for mild OSA
- Patients performing the MSLT
Correct 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.
Question 7: Periodic limb movements (PLMs) scored during PSG require a series of at least how many consecutive limb movements?
- 2
- 3
- 4 (Correct answer)
- 5
Correct 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.
RPSGT Best Practices & Methodologies 5
During a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), nap opportunities are scheduled every how many hours following the termination of the nocturnal PSG?