RPSGT Communication & Stakeholder Relations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient becomes agitated during the night and refuses to continue the sleep study. What is the most appropriate first response by the RPSGT?
- Terminate the study immediately and document the refusal
- Calmly explain the importance of the study and address the patient's concerns (Correct answer)
- Contact the ordering physician right away without speaking to the patient
- Administer a calming protocol and continue recording
Correct answer: Calmly explain the importance of the study and address the patient's concerns
The technologist should first attempt de-escalation by listening to and addressing the patient's concerns before taking further action.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes the RPSGT's role when communicating sleep study results to a patient?
- Provide a full diagnosis and treatment recommendations
- Share raw data printouts and explain each waveform in detail
- Inform the patient that results will be reviewed and communicated by the ordering physician (Correct answer)
- Decline to answer any questions the patient has about the study
Correct answer: Inform the patient that results will be reviewed and communicated by the ordering physician
RPSGTs are not licensed to diagnose; results must be communicated to patients by the interpreting physician.
Question 3: A parent of a pediatric patient asks to stay in the room during the entire sleep study. How should the RPSGT respond?
- Deny the request to maintain a controlled testing environment
- Allow the parent to stay and ensure their presence is documented (Correct answer)
- Ask the parent to wait in the lobby and check in hourly
- Require the parent to sign a liability waiver before staying
Correct answer: Allow the parent to stay and ensure their presence is documented
Allowing a parent to stay with a pediatric patient is standard practice and should be documented in the record.
Question 4: During a CPAP titration, the patient reports that the mask pressure feels uncomfortable. What is the RPSGT's best course of action?
- Tell the patient to tolerate the discomfort because the study must be completed
- Ignore the complaint and continue titrating
- Assess the fit, try alternative mask styles, and document adjustments made (Correct answer)
- Immediately end the titration and wake the attending physician
Correct answer: Assess the fit, try alternative mask styles, and document adjustments made
Optimizing mask comfort improves adherence and study validity; adjustments should be tried and documented.
Question 5: Which communication method is most appropriate when handing off patient care at the end of a shift?
- A brief verbal summary in the hallway
- A written handoff report covering patient status, events, and pending tasks (Correct answer)
- An email sent after the new technologist has already started their shift
- Assuming the new technologist will read the raw PSG data
Correct answer: A written handoff report covering patient status, events, and pending tasks
A structured written handoff ensures continuity of care and reduces the risk of missed critical information.
Question 6: A referring physician calls the sleep lab asking for a verbal summary of a patient's study results before the formal report is signed. What should the RPSGT do?
- Provide a full verbal summary of all findings immediately
- Explain that results cannot be released until the interpreting physician signs the report (Correct answer)
- Read the physician the raw AHI number and SpO2 nadir only
- Transfer the call to the front desk without explanation
Correct answer: Explain that results cannot be released until the interpreting physician signs the report
Releasing results before the interpreting physician signs the report violates proper reporting protocols.
Question 7: A patient with limited English proficiency arrives for a polysomnography study. What is the RPSGT's best approach to obtaining informed consent?
- Proceed without consent if a translator is unavailable
- Use a certified medical interpreter or translated consent form to ensure understanding (Correct answer)
- Ask the patient's family member to interpret and sign the consent
- Use simple English and assume the patient understands
Correct answer: Use a certified medical interpreter or translated consent form to ensure understanding
Informed consent requires that the patient fully understand the procedure, which necessitates a certified interpreter or translated materials.
RPSGT Communication & Stakeholder Relations 2
A patient becomes agitated during the night and refuses to continue the sleep study.
What is the most appropriate first response by the RPSGT?