RPSGT RPSGT Sleep Staging & Scoring 3

Question 1

What is the minimum preceding sleep duration required before an EEG frequency shift can be scored as an arousal per AASM rules?

Accepted Answer

10 seconds

Answer

AASM requires at least 10 seconds of stable sleep preceding the EEG frequency shift for it to qualify as a scoreable arousal.

Question 2

Vertex sharp waves are most characteristic of which sleep stage?

Accepted Answer

N1

Answer

Vertex sharp waves — high-amplitude sharp transients maximal at the vertex — are a hallmark EEG feature of Stage N1.

Question 3

According to AASM guidelines, which combination of features is required to score an epoch as Stage REM?

Accepted Answer

Low-amplitude mixed-frequency EEG + rapid eye movements + low chin EMG

Answer

REM requires low-amplitude mixed-frequency EEG, the presence of rapid eye movements (or low chin EMG in tonic REM), and atonic chin EMG.

Question 4

When should an epoch be scored Stage N3 rather than N2 even if sleep spindles are present?

Accepted Answer

When ≥20% of the epoch consists of slow wave activity

Answer

N3 takes precedence over N2 when slow wave activity occupies ≥20% of the epoch, regardless of co-occurring spindles or K-complexes.

Question 5

If N2 features appear early in an epoch and are followed by an arousal that does not reach Wake criteria, how is the epoch scored?

Accepted Answer

Score as N2 because N2 features were present

Answer

AASM rules state that if N2-qualifying features appear in any part of the epoch and are followed by an arousal not reaching Wake criteria, the whole epoch is scored N2.

RPSGT Exam Practice Test

RPSGT Exam Practice Test

RPSGT RPSGT Sleep Staging & Scoring 3