NBRC Sleep Disorders Specialty (SDS) Practice Exam

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• What is the minimum duration for which the event must last to be classified as a hypopnea?
• What is the normal range for QRS interval duration?
• Which of the following combinations best describes rhythmic movement disorder?
• What does CMRR stand for and what is its purpose?
• What is the term for groaning during exhalation while asleep?
• What is the minimum total sleep time (TST) required on a prior night study for the MSLT to be valid for diagnosing narcolepsy?
• What is the combined frequency and sensitivity range for Legs and Snore channels?
• In the 10-20 system, what does the acronym FCPOT stand for?
• What is an expected outcome of a properly functioning notch filter during a PSG?
• What distinguishes the Stanford Sleepiness Scale from the Epworth Sleepiness Scale?
• What should a sleep technician do when discovering soiled linens from an HIV patient at the end of a sleep study?
• In the 10-20 system, what percentage do the parasagittal planes Fp1 to O1 and Fp2 to O2 divide into?
• What is the most likely diagnosis for a patient with a sleep efficiency of 83%?
• What is the purpose of measuring the time constant in waveforms?
• What should a sleep tech do first if the chin EMG signal fluctuates excessively after the patient turns to their left side?
• What is the correct position for an esophageal pH monitoring catheter?
• What is the frequency range criterion for delta waves?
• What sleep efficiency score is classified as insomnia?
• For COPD patients, PSG is indicated when PaO2 is greater than what value in mmHg?
• Why is it important to verify new CPAP settings with a physician before proceeding?
• How long should be allowed for any given oxygen liter flow before considering an increase?
• If the distance from Fp2 to O2 is 30cm, what is the distance from C4 to P4?
• What percentage represents the distance from O1/O2 to Oz?
• What is considered a normal PR interval on an ECG tracing?
• What is the BMI classification for obese individuals?
• What change in total sleep time (TST) is most likely experienced by patients with cardiac arrhythmias?
• What must be performed and stored as part of the patient's record to document the calibration of the equipment?
• What BMI range defines overweight?
• How many seconds of EEG frequency change must follow a cessation of airflow to score an apnea-related arousal?
• What characterizes a 2nd degree AV block Mobitz I (Wenckebach)?
• When does the first nap in an MSLT typically commence after the overnight PSG concludes?
• What charge is present at the front of the eye?
• What is the maximum allowable impedance value?
• Where is the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) located?
• What should the sleep tech reference if the right ECG chest lead dislodges during the night?
• In which scenario would a sleep technician most likely apply universal precautions?
• How is a 3rd degree AV block characterized compared to other heart blocks?
• Sleep efficiency greater than 95% is classified as what?
• What external factor primarily affects the SCN and its function?
• What are two other names for 60Hz artifact?
• What is the significance of documenting PLMs related to sleep apnea events?
• Myocardial injury is indicated by what ECG finding?
• What minimum percentage drop in airflow is required to score a hypopnea for a 4% SpO2 desaturation?
• What is the general amplitude range for delta waves?
• After what type of study is the MSLT not recommended to be conducted the following morning?
• Which description fits the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index?
• What differentiates Klein Levin Syndrome from other types of recurrent hypersomnia?
• What common EEG wave patterns are associated with sleep paralysis?
• Which of the following is not a typical number of naps taken during an MSLT?
• Which age group is most likely to experience obstructive sleep apnea?
• What is the recommended starting pressure for BiPAP?
• Which of the following is NOT an important aspect of a sleep technician's role pertaining to patient safety?
• During which sleep stage is central apnea mainly observed in patients?
• What is considered a normal value for the PLMS index?
• Which nutritional issue is known to contribute to hypoglycemia and may cause RLS?
• What is another name for sleep state misperception?
• A series of three or more PVCs in succession indicates which arrhythmia?
• Which behavioral intervention can help improve sleep quality for patients with insomnia?
• Which condition is most often associated with causing 60Hz artifact in an EEG?
• What is the recommended maximum CPAP pressure for a 14-year-old patient?
• Which vital sign is most affected by optimal CPAP therapy that should be documented at a follow-up visit?
• If a patient calls complaining of water in the tubing of their CPAP, what is the best instruction for the sleep tech to provide?
• During BiPAP titration for adults, when should only I PAP be increased?
• What is the LFF, HFF, sensitivity, and sampling rate for the channel F4-M1?
• What type of heart block is indicated by atrial and ventricular rates that are separate?
• During a sleep study, what does reduced airflow and respiratory effort in a morbidly obese patient most likely indicate?
• Which placement method for chin EMG requires a sensor to be positioned 1cm below the edge of the mandible?
• What could be an indicator of adequate CPAP pressure during a sleep study?
• In a recording showing a total sleep time (TST) of 5 hours with 60 periodic limb movements (PLMS), how is the PLM index calculated?
• After a CPAP titration study, the next step to confirm patient setup at home is to:
• The formula V = S x PD relates to what parameters?
• What is the formula for calculating BMI?
• What ECG finding is most indicative of a myocardial infarction?
• What is the maximum duration of a normal PR interval?
• When a patient with sleep apnea returns with a new prescription for CPAP settings, what should the sleep technician do?
• Which medication is specifically indicated for narcolepsy and cataplexy?
• What condition is classified as idiopathic insomnia?
• What effect do corticosteroids have on sleep?
• What criteria are necessary to score a hypopnea with a 4% SpO2 desaturation?
• How long does it take for Sonacide to effectively disinfect?
• Which measurement is regarded as the most reliable assessment of a patient's circulatory stability during an A-fib event?
• For an 8-year-old patient experiencing a 9-second period without airflow or respiratory effort, how much must the SpO2 drop for this event to be classified as central apnea?
• What is the duration of each nap during an MSLT?
• What is another name for the disinfecting agent Sonacide?
• What information is most useful following a CPAP trial?
• What defines Pen blocking and how can it be resolved?
• In MSLT sleep montage, which leads are used for EEG recording?
• Which condition is characterized by recurrent hypersomnia and odd behaviors such as binge eating?
• If a sleep technician observes an ECG with a varying heart rate and irregular rhythm, what is the recommended action?
• What is the percentage from the Naisson to Fpz distance?
• What is the range of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale for a normal classification?
• Approximately what percentage of total sleep time (TST) do delta waves account for in adults?
• What can also lead to an inverted T wave on an ECG aside from ischemia?
• Which frequency range characterizes normal rhythmic movement disorder?
• During an MSLT, what descriptor fits a total score of 10 with regard to managing daytime sleepiness?
• Which of the following is a common cause of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)?
• Which event poses a greater concern during a sleep study?
• What is the primary goal of titration during CPAP therapy?
• A split night study is recommended for an AHI of ____ or more during at least ___ hours of baseline recording, with at least ______ hours of time remaining for titration.
• How is heart rate calculated from an ECG tracing?
• What is the likely classification for an MSLT score of 16 to 20 minutes?
• What is the minimum SpO2 value recorded in the repeat study for this patient?
• What should be done if a patient has completed 5 naps during an MSLT without REM onset?
• Which heart block is defined by a PR interval greater than 0.20 seconds and may be caused by ischemia and digitalis?
• According to AASM, what is the normal respiratory rate during sleep?
• What condition is NOT one of the three that can worsen COPD?
• What is the AHI (Apnea-Hypopnea Index) recorded after a repeat study for a patient not on CPAP?
• What is the sampling rate for the SpO2 channel?
• Which of the following adjustments leads to sharper waveforms?
• What is the recommended high frequency filter (HFF) for recording ECG channels?
• Which sleep pattern is most commonly observed in a term infant?
• How are MSLT scores classified based on specific minute intervals?
• During BiPAP titration for adults, when should both I and E PAP be increased?
• How is dyssomnia best defined?
• After observing 90 central apneas and no obstructive apneas during a split-night study, what should the sleep technician recommend first?
• Which of the following is a mandatory component of an order for a polysomnography (PSG)?
• Which disorder primarily causes excessive daytime sleepiness without REM sleep onset or cataplexy?
• What is the target SpO2 range during oxygen therapy?
• What effect does opioid use typically have on REM sleep?
• Which of the following methods is NOT used to end a nap during an MSLT?
• What is another name for the disinfecting agent Cidex?
• What characterizes a multi-focal PVC tracing?
• What should a sleep technician review when transferring data from the main computer to offline storage for the first time?
• Which ECG change is commonly associated with hyperkalemia?
• What is the minimum immersion time required for an air-flow thermocouple in a 1:50 bleach solution to ensure high-level disinfection?
• What is the acceptable range for diastolic blood pressure according to AASM guidelines?
• Which of the following is NOT an indication for APAP?
• What percentage of total sleep time (TST) does N2 make up for adults?
• How can electrode popping be recognized on a montage?
• Which of the following is NOT a feature of active sleep in infants?
• How is N3 sleep primarily characterized in terms of brain activity?
• Which parts of the brain are primarily responsible for the respiratory center?
• What type of waveforms should be expected with a lower HFF setting?
• What role does the SCN play in the body?
• How is a 2nd degree AV block (Mobitz II) identified?
• In a sleep study, which condition would lead to a recommendation for CPAP therapy?
• If the P's and the Q's do not match up, which heart block might this indicate?
• What is the primary reason for monitoring an HIV patient's linens during a sleep study?
• What is actigraphy recommended for?
• What does a Couplet on an ECG refer to?
• When a patient falls asleep while being prepared for a sleep study, what is the sleep technician's most appropriate action?
• Which of the following can contribute to anemia and may cause RLS?
• What cardiac arrhythmia is commonly associated with hypoxemia and hypokalemia?
• What should a sleep technician do when they note spikelike waves in the EEG and EOG channels during a PSG?
• What is the primary role of the sympathetic nervous system?
• Which condition is most likely associated with sleep apnea?
• During a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), how many sleep onset REM periods are required to diagnose narcolepsy?
• When during sleep are symptoms of REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) most likely to occur?
• Which muscles are monitored with EMG leads during the MSLT?
• What is the primary purpose of documenting body position during a sleep study?
• During each sleep study, which of the following should the sleep technician document at regular intervals?
• What is the primary function of the parasympathetic nervous system?
• What is the lowest SpO2 level recorded during a sleep study known as?
• Which of the following stages of sleep is known as light sleep?
• Which substance is both carcinogenic and flammable?
• What lethal arrhythmia can multiple PVCs in a row cause?
• What is another name for sleepwalking?
• What artifact refers to interference typically at 60Hz?
• What does an increased duration of the PR interval in a heart block indicate?
• For the Airflow channel, what is the appropriate LFF, HFF, sensitivity, and sampling rate?
• Which brain structure communicates with the cerebral cortex and is critical for consciousness?
• In which sleep stage is bruxism most commonly observed?
• After losing 40 pounds, a patient’s current BMI is 26 kg/m2. What does this indicate regarding the patient's weight classification?
• What is one of the primary characteristics of narcolepsy?
• In a situation where a patient's CPAP therapy isn't adequately providing comfort, which adjustment is recommended first?
• What are the parameters for the ECG channel in terms of LFF, HFF, sensitivity, and sampling rate?
• How is sleep efficiency calculated?
• At what ages does somnambulism typically occur?
• What is the normal range for EtCO2 in pediatric patients?
• During a CPAP titration study, if intermittent quadgemy is observed and the patient's SpO2 remains in low 90's, what should the sleep tech do?
• What sleep efficiency score range is classified as normal?
• What are the three key items that must be scored during an MSLT?
• Melatonin is most commonly used to treat which sleep disorder?
• What percentage of total sleep time (TST) does REM sleep account for in adults?
• If a single P wave differs from all other P waves while the rest of the ECG remains normal, what condition might this indicate?
• How many naps should be taken during an MSLT session?
• What are the settings for the Chin channel in LFF, HFF, sensitivity, and sampling rate?
• How long is the sterilization time for Sonacide?
• What ECG finding indicates ischemia?
• What term describes the time in seconds for a waveform to drop to 37% of its calculated amplitude?
• Which device typically uses a battery, thermocouple, or thermistor?
• Which type of QRS deflection is noted in multi-focal PVCs?
• In a patient being assessed before gastric bypass surgery with a BMI of 36 and an AHI of 40, what is the recommended action for their immediate post-operative treatment plan regarding CPAP therapy?
• How long does it take for Cidex to achieve sterilization?
• During titration, increases in pressure are done in what increments with a time duration of more than ___ minutes?
• When should oxygen therapy be initiated according to sleep study protocols?
• Which condition is least likely to be associated with sleep paralysis?
• How do lower HFF settings affect the waveforms?
• A sleep tech notes a patient exhibiting A-fib during bio calibration. Which parameter is most crucial to check in this patient?
• If a patient is supine with intermittent snoring and an SpO2 of 79%, what should the sleep tech do after observing this for 10 minutes?
• In what sleep stage does somnambulism typically occur?
• What is the minimum digital resolution requirement?
• A patient exhibiting excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) but without REM onset would be classified as having what condition?
• What type of therapy is NOT recommended first for a patient with a high number of central apneas?
• How long does it take for Cidex to effectively disinfect?
• EKG artifact is commonly seen in patients who are obese and those with which types of disorders?
• In which stage of sleep are delta waves predominantly present?
• When scoring Respiratory Effort-Related Arousal (RERA), which signal is best for assessing change in respiratory effort?
• What is the normal pulse rate range during sleep according to AASM guidelines?
• What type of artifact are High-Frequency Filters (HFF) primarily used to attenuate in EEG channels?
• In the 10-20 system, the sagittal and coronal planes are divided at what percentage?
• What type of deflection is observed on the REOG tracing when looking toward the REOG?
• What is the most appropriate recommendation for a patient with 90 documented central apneas during a split night study?
• What is the expected effect on total sleep time (TST) for patients with pacemakers?
• What condition could be suspected if a sleep study reveals significant daytime sleepiness and sudden muscle weakness?
• Which of the following medications is noted for treating REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD)?
• What is the formula that relates Volts, Current (I), and Resistance?
• Patients experiencing nightmares tend to have what change in their REM sleep characteristics?
• What are the two required criteria to score a hypopnea with a 3% SpO2 desaturation?
• What does a high PLMS index indicate?
• What is another name for asystole, and how many leads are necessary to confirm this arrhythmia?
• What is the recommended distance to withdraw an esophageal pH catheter after advancing it until pH is less than 4.0?
• What is the standard EOG calibration voltage used in sleep recordings?
• Bradycardia is defined as a heart rate of less than what value?
• Which method is NOT used to calculate heart rate from an ECG tracing?
• What is one of the functions of chin EMG recording during a sleep study?
• What type of lead placement is recommended for recording ECG in sleep studies?
• What defines obstructive sleep apnea in terms of the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI)?
• A sleep tech notes frequent leg movements every 60 seconds associated with respiratory events. How should these movements be documented?
• What is the classification of an ECG tracing showing an irregular rhythm with QRS duration greater than 0.12 seconds?
• What is the relationship between hypoglycemia and RLS?
• What happens to waveforms when HFF settings are increased?
• Which of the following differentiates Idiopathic Insomnia from Idiopathic Hypersomnia?
• How does having only one abnormal P wave in an ECG reading typically manifest?
• For patients under the age of 12, how should CPAP be increased for OSA, OSH, RERA, and loud snoring?
• What is the threshold SpO2 for adding oxygen during a titration study if it drops below this level?
• What effect do nightmares typically have on REM latency and REM density?
• Which of the following conditions is associated with sleep paralysis?
• What is the recommended IPAP for patients under 12 years of age?
• What does a higher setting for CMRR help to achieve?
• Which of the following medications is NOT typically used to treat narcolepsy?
• How is bradycardia characterized in terms of duration?
• If a patient is apprehensive about starting CPAP therapy, what is the best recommendation?
• What is the BMI range considered normal?
• What type of disorder should a sleep tech expect to observe during an overnight sleep study for a patient with Parkinson's disease?
• What is an important consideration when assessing an ECG in relation to sleep disorders?
• What is the recommended IPAP for patients older than 12 years of age?
• What is the maximum CPAP pressure recommended for patients under 12 years old?
• What is the most appropriate immediate intervention for a patient exhibiting snoring, gasping, and apneas lasting 50 seconds while supine?