RPSGT RPSGT Sleep Staging & Scoring 5

Question 1

What EEG derivation is recommended by the AASM for detecting slow-wave activity during NREM staging?

Accepted Answer

F4-M1

Answer

The AASM recommends the frontal derivation (F4-M1 or F3-M2) as the primary channel for detecting slow-wave activity because delta is of highest amplitude frontally.

Question 2

During REM scoring, chin EMG tone must be:

Accepted Answer

At its lowest level of the night or lower than NREM baseline

Answer

REM sleep requires chin EMG to be at its lowest level of the night, typically lower than any NREM stage, reflecting muscle atonia.

Question 3

Stage N1 sleep is typically defined by which EEG frequency replacing alpha?

Accepted Answer

Theta activity (4-7 Hz)

Answer

In N1, alpha is replaced by mixed-frequency low-amplitude activity with predominant theta (4-7 Hz) waveforms.

Question 4

A 30-second epoch shows predominantly Stage N2 features, but a cortical arousal lasting 5 seconds is present in the middle. How should this epoch be scored?

Accepted Answer

Score as N2 — the stage occupying the majority of the epoch

Answer

Per AASM rules, an epoch is scored by the stage that predominates; a brief arousal does not reclassify the entire epoch unless Wake occupies >50%.

Question 5

Which eye movement feature distinguishes slow eye movements (SEMs) of N1 from the rapid eye movements of Stage R?

Accepted Answer

SEMs have sinusoidal waveforms lasting >500 ms; REMs have irregular bursts <500 ms

Answer

SEMs are conjugate sinusoidal deflections with initial deflection lasting >500 ms, whereas REMs are irregular, sharply peaked conjugate movements with initial deflection <500 ms.

RPSGT Exam Practice Test

RPSGT Exam Practice Test

RPSGT RPSGT Sleep Staging & Scoring 5