RPSGT Core Concepts & Fundamentals 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to AASM scoring rules, what is the minimum duration of a sleep epoch?
- 10 seconds
- 20 seconds
- 30 seconds (Correct answer)
- 60 seconds
Correct answer: 30 seconds
The AASM standard epoch length for sleep scoring is 30 seconds.
Question 2: Which EEG frequency band is characterized by 8–13 Hz activity and is most prominent in quiet wakefulness with eyes closed?
- Delta
- Theta
- Alpha (Correct answer)
- Beta
Correct answer: Alpha
Alpha waves (8–13 Hz) are the hallmark of relaxed wakefulness with eyes closed.
Question 3: In polysomnography, what does the term 'montage' refer to?
- The order in which patients are scheduled
- The specific combination and arrangement of recording channels (Correct answer)
- The calibration sequence performed before recording
- The paper speed of the PSG tracing
Correct answer: The specific combination and arrangement of recording channels
A montage is the defined set of channels and their derivations used during a PSG recording.
Question 4: Stage N3 sleep is defined by what minimum percentage of slow-wave activity (SWA) per epoch?
- 10%
- 20% (Correct answer)
- 50%
- 75%
Correct answer: 20%
AASM criteria require at least 20% of the epoch to consist of slow-wave (delta) activity to score N3.
Question 5: Which neurotransmitter is most responsible for the muscle atonia seen during REM sleep?
- Serotonin
- Dopamine
- Glycine and GABA (Correct answer)
- Acetylcholine
Correct answer: Glycine and GABA
Glycine and GABA act on spinal motor neurons to produce the hyperpolarization that causes REM atonia.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of applying electrode paste or gel during PSG electrode placement?
- To prevent electrode oxidation over time
- To reduce impedance and improve electrical contact (Correct answer)
- To adhere the electrode to the skin permanently
- To mark the electrode position for documentation
Correct answer: To reduce impedance and improve electrical contact
Electrode paste/gel lowers skin impedance, allowing cleaner electrical signal acquisition.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes 'sleep efficiency'?
- The ratio of REM sleep to total sleep time
- The percentage of time in bed actually spent asleep (Correct answer)
- The number of awakenings per hour of sleep
- The latency from lights out to first epoch of N2
Correct answer: The percentage of time in bed actually spent asleep
Sleep efficiency = (total sleep time / time in bed) × 100, expressed as a percentage.
RPSGT Core Concepts & Fundamentals 2
According to AASM scoring rules, what is the minimum duration of a sleep epoch?