Certification Examination Practice

Illinois Polysomnographic Technologist Certification Examination Practice Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• Which sleep stage is characterized by rapid eye movement, muscle

atonia, and vivid dreaming?

• N1
• N2
• N3

D. REM

Rationale: REM sleep involves rapid eye movements, decreased

muscle tone, and is the primary stage for vivid dreaming.

• What is the normal range for oxygen saturation (SpO₂) in a healthy

adult during sleep? 1 / 4

A. 80–85%

B. 85–90%

C. 95–100%

D. 90–94%

Rationale: Healthy adults typically maintain SpO₂ between 95–100%

during sleep.

• Which electrode placement is used to record electroencephalogram

(EEG) activity over the frontal lobe?

A. O1, O2

B. F3, F4

C. C3, C4

D. P3, P4

Rationale: F3 and F4 electrodes are placed over the frontal regions to

record frontal EEG activity.

4. The Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) measures:

• Heart rate variability during sleep
• Number of apneas and hypopneas per hour of sleep
• Total REM sleep percentage
• Snoring intensity

Rationale: AHI quantifies the frequency of apneas and hypopneas per

hour, used to assess sleep-disordered breathing severity.

• Which of the following is considered a central apnea?
• Obstructed airway with effort 2 / 4

• Absence of respiratory effort and airflow
• Partial obstruction with hypopnea
• Rapid shallow breathing

Rationale: Central apnea occurs when there is no respiratory effort

along with absent airflow.

• Which sleep stage has the highest amplitude slow waves and is often

referred to as deep sleep?

• N1
• N2
• N3

D. REM

Rationale: N3, or slow-wave sleep, shows high amplitude delta

waves and represents the deepest sleep stage.

• What is the purpose of using chin EMG in polysomnography?
• Detect eye movements
• Monitor heart rate
• Assess muscle tone for REM sleep
• Measure respiratory effort

Rationale: Chin EMG monitors muscle tone, helping differentiate

REM sleep (muscle atonia) from other stages.

• Which is the most common cause of obstructive sleep apnea in adults?
• Central nervous system disorder
• Upper airway obstruction 3 / 4

• Cardiovascular disease
• Hypothyroidism

Rationale: Obstructive sleep apnea is primarily caused by physical

obstruction of the upper airway during sleep.

• What is the minimum duration of an apnea event to be scored

according to AASM criteria?

• 5 seconds
• 10 seconds
• 15 seconds
• 30 seconds

Rationale: The American Academy of Sleep Medicine defines an

apnea as a cessation of airflow lasting at least 10 seconds.

• Which of the following best describes hypopnea?
• Complete cessation of airflow
• Absence of respiratory effort
• Partial reduction of airflow with oxygen desaturation or arousal
• Snoring without desaturation

Rationale: Hypopnea is a partial airflow reduction leading to ≥3%

oxygen desaturation or an arousal.

• Which leads are used to monitor eye movements in a PSG

study?

• EOG (electrooculogram)
• ECG
• / 4