RPSGT Data Analysis & Reporting 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which AASM-recommended derivation is used as the primary airflow channel for scoring apneas?
- Nasal pressure transducer
- Oronasal thermal sensor (Correct answer)
- Piezoelectric chest belt
- Pulse oximetry waveform
Correct answer: Oronasal thermal sensor
The oronasal thermal sensor is the recommended channel for identifying apneas (complete cessation of airflow), while nasal pressure is used for hypopneas.
Question 2: A final PSG report shows sleep onset latency of 45 minutes. How should this be interpreted?
- Normal adult value
- Mildly prolonged (Correct answer)
- Severely prolonged
- Indicative of narcolepsy
Correct answer: Mildly prolonged
Normal sleep onset latency is ≤20 minutes; 45 minutes is mildly to moderately prolonged but not at the severely delayed threshold.
Question 3: When reporting CPAP titration results, the optimal pressure is the level that eliminates:
- All snoring only
- Obstructive apneas, hypopneas, RERAs, and snoring in all sleep stages and positions (Correct answer)
- Apneas in NREM sleep only
- Desaturations below 88%
Correct answer: Obstructive apneas, hypopneas, RERAs, and snoring in all sleep stages and positions
Optimal CPAP pressure abolishes obstructive apneas, hypopneas, RERAs, and snoring across all sleep stages and body positions.
Question 4: A movement artifact on the EEG that is most likely caused by the patient's heartbeat is called:
- 60 Hz artifact
- Ballistocardiogram artifact (Correct answer)
- Sweat artifact
- Electrode pop artifact
Correct answer: Ballistocardiogram artifact
Ballistocardiogram artifact appears as rhythmic EEG deflections synchronized with the cardiac cycle caused by movement of electrode leads with each heartbeat.
Question 5: According to AASM rules, a central apnea must have absent respiratory effort and last at least:
- 5 seconds
- 10 seconds (Correct answer)
- 20 seconds
- 30 seconds
Correct answer: 10 seconds
A central apnea requires cessation of airflow for ≥10 seconds with no associated respiratory effort throughout the event.
Question 6: In pediatric PSG scoring, the apnea-hypopnea index threshold for considering treatment in children is:
- AHI ≥1 event/hour (Correct answer)
- AHI ≥5 events/hour
- AHI ≥10 events/hour
- AHI ≥15 events/hour
Correct answer: AHI ≥1 event/hour
AASM guidelines consider an AHI ≥1 event/hour abnormal in children, a lower threshold than the adult standard of ≥5.
Question 7: Which sleep architecture change is most commonly reported in patients with severe OSA?
- Increased Stage N3 percentage
- Increased REM latency and suppressed REM percentage (Correct answer)
- Decreased sleep onset latency
- Increased sleep spindle density
Correct answer: Increased REM latency and suppressed REM percentage
Severe OSA typically fragments sleep and suppresses REM sleep, resulting in prolonged REM latency and reduced REM percentage.
RPSGT Data Analysis & Reporting 5
Which AASM-recommended derivation is used as the primary airflow channel for scoring apneas?