NBRC SDS Practice Exam Comprehensive Final Review 2026 |
High-Yield Study Guide
1. In a clinical setting, if a patient exhibits a decrease in airflow of 35% for 12
seconds with a 4% oxygen desaturation, how would this scenario be classified
according to the alternative rule for Hypopnea diagnosis?
It would be classified as Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
It would not be classified as Hypopnea due to insufficient
desaturation.
It would be classified as normal breathing.
It would be classified as Hypopnea.
2. Describe the role of titration studies in the management of sleep disorders.
Titration studies help in adjusting PAP therapy to ensure effective
treatment of sleep apnea by finding the right pressure levels.
Titration studies are used to diagnose sleep disorders through patient
interviews.
Titration studies measure the quality of sleep without any intervention.
Titration studies are primarily focused on evaluating the patient's sleep
hygiene.
3. If a patient exhibits positional apnea with a significantly higher AHI while
supine, what treatment strategy might be recommended?
Encouraging the patient to sleep in a lateral position.
Recommending surgery to remove tonsils.
Increasing the pressure settings on their PAP device.
Advising the patient to avoid all forms of exercise.
,4. Describe how APAP devices adjust pressure levels for patients with
Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
APAP devices automatically adjust the airway pressure based on the
patient's needs throughout the night.
APAP devices are only effective during the initial diagnosis of sleep
apnea.
APAP devices maintain a constant pressure regardless of the patient's
breathing patterns.
APAP devices require manual adjustments by healthcare providers
every night.
5. Describe the significance of the Hypopnea Index (HI) in assessing sleep
quality.
The HI measures the total number of awakenings during the night.
The Hypopnea Index (HI) helps quantify the severity of breathing
disturbances during sleep, indicating potential sleep disorders.
The HI is used to calculate the effectiveness of sleep medications.
The HI assesses the duration of REM sleep in a sleep study.
6. What is one common treatment option for Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)?
Oral appliances
Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV)
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Oxygen therapy
,7. What is one common treatment option for Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea
(OSA)?
Antidepressant medication
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) therapy
Surgery for tonsillectomy
8. Of the options provided, non-compliance to PAP therapy would lead to any
of the following except what?
The need to revisit the clinic for a PAP/Nap mask desensitization trial
to improve compliance.-
Insurers/payors not paying for the machine, supplies and/or other
sleep
Patient having to pay out-of-pocket to continue PAP treatment
Insurers/payors covering the full cost of the machine, supplies
and/or other sleep care services
9. What is the primary condition for which Adaptive Servo-Ventilation (ASV) is
commonly used?
Parasomnias
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)
Insomnia
, 10. Using overnight oximetry, one can rule in obstructive sleep apnea-
hypopnoea syndrome without polysomnography in nearly all patients
having an oxygen desaturation index (ODI) of:
>5
> 15
> 10
>1
11. What is the gold standard method used in sleep studies to detect apneas
and hypopneas?
Home sleep apnea testing
Oximetry
Polysomnography
Actigraphy
12. If a patient exhibits complex behaviors during the first third of their sleep
cycle, which type of sleep disorder might they be experiencing?
Central Sleep Apnea
NREM parasomnia
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
13. Describe how Central Sleep Apnea differs from Obstructive Sleep Apnea in
terms of underlying mechanisms.
Central Sleep Apnea occurs only during REM sleep, while
Obstructive Sleep Apnea occurs during all sleep stages.
High-Yield Study Guide
1. In a clinical setting, if a patient exhibits a decrease in airflow of 35% for 12
seconds with a 4% oxygen desaturation, how would this scenario be classified
according to the alternative rule for Hypopnea diagnosis?
It would be classified as Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
It would not be classified as Hypopnea due to insufficient
desaturation.
It would be classified as normal breathing.
It would be classified as Hypopnea.
2. Describe the role of titration studies in the management of sleep disorders.
Titration studies help in adjusting PAP therapy to ensure effective
treatment of sleep apnea by finding the right pressure levels.
Titration studies are used to diagnose sleep disorders through patient
interviews.
Titration studies measure the quality of sleep without any intervention.
Titration studies are primarily focused on evaluating the patient's sleep
hygiene.
3. If a patient exhibits positional apnea with a significantly higher AHI while
supine, what treatment strategy might be recommended?
Encouraging the patient to sleep in a lateral position.
Recommending surgery to remove tonsils.
Increasing the pressure settings on their PAP device.
Advising the patient to avoid all forms of exercise.
,4. Describe how APAP devices adjust pressure levels for patients with
Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
APAP devices automatically adjust the airway pressure based on the
patient's needs throughout the night.
APAP devices are only effective during the initial diagnosis of sleep
apnea.
APAP devices maintain a constant pressure regardless of the patient's
breathing patterns.
APAP devices require manual adjustments by healthcare providers
every night.
5. Describe the significance of the Hypopnea Index (HI) in assessing sleep
quality.
The HI measures the total number of awakenings during the night.
The Hypopnea Index (HI) helps quantify the severity of breathing
disturbances during sleep, indicating potential sleep disorders.
The HI is used to calculate the effectiveness of sleep medications.
The HI assesses the duration of REM sleep in a sleep study.
6. What is one common treatment option for Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)?
Oral appliances
Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV)
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Oxygen therapy
,7. What is one common treatment option for Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea
(OSA)?
Antidepressant medication
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) therapy
Surgery for tonsillectomy
8. Of the options provided, non-compliance to PAP therapy would lead to any
of the following except what?
The need to revisit the clinic for a PAP/Nap mask desensitization trial
to improve compliance.-
Insurers/payors not paying for the machine, supplies and/or other
sleep
Patient having to pay out-of-pocket to continue PAP treatment
Insurers/payors covering the full cost of the machine, supplies
and/or other sleep care services
9. What is the primary condition for which Adaptive Servo-Ventilation (ASV) is
commonly used?
Parasomnias
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)
Insomnia
, 10. Using overnight oximetry, one can rule in obstructive sleep apnea-
hypopnoea syndrome without polysomnography in nearly all patients
having an oxygen desaturation index (ODI) of:
>5
> 15
> 10
>1
11. What is the gold standard method used in sleep studies to detect apneas
and hypopneas?
Home sleep apnea testing
Oximetry
Polysomnography
Actigraphy
12. If a patient exhibits complex behaviors during the first third of their sleep
cycle, which type of sleep disorder might they be experiencing?
Central Sleep Apnea
NREM parasomnia
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
13. Describe how Central Sleep Apnea differs from Obstructive Sleep Apnea in
terms of underlying mechanisms.
Central Sleep Apnea occurs only during REM sleep, while
Obstructive Sleep Apnea occurs during all sleep stages.
