RST Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance 3

Question 1

Which regulatory body's standards must sleep laboratories meet to bill Medicare for polysomnography services?

Accepted Answer

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Answer

State Medical Board only

Answer

American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM)

Answer

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Question 2

What is the purpose of an all-channel signal calibration performed before a polysomnographic recording?

Accepted Answer

To verify that all amplifier channels are recording at correct gain and sensitivity settings

Answer

To measure baseline brain wave amplitude in the patient

Answer

To assess patient cooperation prior to lights-out

Answer

To set the paper speed of an analog polygraph

Question 3

Under OSHA bloodborne pathogen standards, how must used needle electrodes be disposed of?

Accepted Answer

Dispose immediately in a labeled, puncture-resistant sharps container

Answer

Place in regular trash after bending the needle tip

Answer

Soak in 10% bleach for 24 hours, then discard in regular trash

Answer

Return to the biomedical department for reprocessing and reuse

Question 4

What is the purpose of the AASM's inter-scorer reliability (ISR) program for accredited sleep centers?

Accepted Answer

To ensure technologists and physicians score studies consistently and accurately against AASM standards

Answer

To compare clinical outcomes across different accredited centers nationally

Answer

To rank sleep centers by technical quality for insurance contracting purposes

Answer

To certify individual technologists as qualified scorers independent of BRPT

Question 5

Regarding fire safety in the sleep laboratory, which statement best reflects regulatory requirements?

Accepted Answer

Emergency exits must be clearly marked, unobstructed, and all staff must know evacuation procedures

Answer

Exit doors must be locked at night to prevent unsupervised patient elopement

Answer

Emergency exits are for staff use only; patients are evacuated only by fire department personnel

Answer

A single exit at the main building entrance satisfies life-safety code requirements

Question 6

Before a newly installed polysomnograph system is used for patient studies, which quality assurance step is essential?

Accepted Answer

Perform formal acceptance testing to verify the system meets technical specifications and AASM standards

Answer

Conduct one practice study using a willing staff volunteer as a surrogate patient

Answer

Obtain written approval from the medical director only, with no technical testing required

Answer

Allow 30 days of idle warm-up time before beginning clinical use

Question 7

What is the role of continuing education requirements for Registered Sleep Technologists (RSTs)?

Accepted Answer

Mandatory requirements to maintain RST certification and ensure ongoing clinical competency

Answer

Optional professional development with no impact on BRPT certification status

Answer

Required only for technologists employed in hospital-based sleep laboratories

Answer

Applicable only during the first 5 years following initial RST certification