S L E E P M E D I C I N E P R O F E S S I O N A L C E R T I F I C AT I O N
RPSGT Exam
Study Guide & Practice
Test
AASM-Compliant Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Polysomnography — Comprehensive Review
Edition 1 · July 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales — RPSGT Exam 2
RPSGT Exam Study Guide Page 1
,RPSGT EXAM STUDY GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is. Each question is derived directly from RPSGT exam content and formatted in
exam style.
Category: Polysomnography — Comprehensive Review
1 The purpose of an intentional mask leak is to:
A Wash out CO2 and prevent rebreathing
B Increase oxygen delivery
C Reduce mask pressure
D Improve patient comfort
Why A is correct: Intentional mask leaks are designed to wash out CO2 and prevent
rebreathing of exhaled air.
B — Oxygen delivery is not the primary purpose of intentional leaks.
C — Pressure reduction is not the primary purpose.
D — Comfort may improve but is not the primary purpose.
,2 Recommended guidelines state that ASV can be considered when:
A Cheyne-Stokes and central apneas have not been eliminated
B Obstructive apneas persist
C Hypopneas are present
D Snoring continues
Why A is correct: ASV (Adaptive Servo Ventilation) can be considered when Cheyne-Stokes
respiration and central apneas have not been eliminated with other therapies.
B — Obstructive apneas are treated with CPAP/BiPAP.
C — Hypopneas may be treated with pressure increases.
D — Snoring alone does not indicate ASV.
3 What is aerophagia?
A The swallowing of air
B The inability to swallow
C Excessive saliva production
D Airway obstruction
Why A is correct: Aerophagia is the swallowing of air, which can occur with PAP therapy
and cause gastric discomfort.
B — Difficulty swallowing is dysphagia.
C — Excessive saliva is sialorrhea.
D — Airway obstruction is not aerophagia.
, 4 What is maxillomandibular advancement?
A Treatment that involves cutting and advancing the upper and lower jaw bones;
enlarging and stabilizing the posterior airway
B A non-surgical treatment for snoring
C A type of oral appliance
D A procedure to remove tonsils
Why A is correct: Maxillomandibular advancement is a surgical treatment that involves
cutting and advancing the upper and lower jaw bones to enlarge and stabilize the posterior
airway.
B — It is a surgical, not non-surgical, treatment.
C — It is a surgical procedure, not an oral appliance.
D — It involves jaw advancement, not tonsil removal.
5 What is the PRIMARY function of the EPAP setting?
A To eliminate desaturations and arousals
B To improve patient comfort
C To reduce mask leaks
D To increase oxygen delivery
Why A is correct: The primary function of EPAP (Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure) is to
eliminate desaturations and arousals by maintaining airway patency during expiration.
B — Comfort is a secondary consideration.
C — Leak reduction is not the primary function.
D — Oxygen delivery is not the primary function.
RPSGT Exam
Study Guide & Practice
Test
AASM-Compliant Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Polysomnography — Comprehensive Review
Edition 1 · July 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales — RPSGT Exam 2
RPSGT Exam Study Guide Page 1
,RPSGT EXAM STUDY GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is. Each question is derived directly from RPSGT exam content and formatted in
exam style.
Category: Polysomnography — Comprehensive Review
1 The purpose of an intentional mask leak is to:
A Wash out CO2 and prevent rebreathing
B Increase oxygen delivery
C Reduce mask pressure
D Improve patient comfort
Why A is correct: Intentional mask leaks are designed to wash out CO2 and prevent
rebreathing of exhaled air.
B — Oxygen delivery is not the primary purpose of intentional leaks.
C — Pressure reduction is not the primary purpose.
D — Comfort may improve but is not the primary purpose.
,2 Recommended guidelines state that ASV can be considered when:
A Cheyne-Stokes and central apneas have not been eliminated
B Obstructive apneas persist
C Hypopneas are present
D Snoring continues
Why A is correct: ASV (Adaptive Servo Ventilation) can be considered when Cheyne-Stokes
respiration and central apneas have not been eliminated with other therapies.
B — Obstructive apneas are treated with CPAP/BiPAP.
C — Hypopneas may be treated with pressure increases.
D — Snoring alone does not indicate ASV.
3 What is aerophagia?
A The swallowing of air
B The inability to swallow
C Excessive saliva production
D Airway obstruction
Why A is correct: Aerophagia is the swallowing of air, which can occur with PAP therapy
and cause gastric discomfort.
B — Difficulty swallowing is dysphagia.
C — Excessive saliva is sialorrhea.
D — Airway obstruction is not aerophagia.
, 4 What is maxillomandibular advancement?
A Treatment that involves cutting and advancing the upper and lower jaw bones;
enlarging and stabilizing the posterior airway
B A non-surgical treatment for snoring
C A type of oral appliance
D A procedure to remove tonsils
Why A is correct: Maxillomandibular advancement is a surgical treatment that involves
cutting and advancing the upper and lower jaw bones to enlarge and stabilize the posterior
airway.
B — It is a surgical, not non-surgical, treatment.
C — It is a surgical procedure, not an oral appliance.
D — It involves jaw advancement, not tonsil removal.
5 What is the PRIMARY function of the EPAP setting?
A To eliminate desaturations and arousals
B To improve patient comfort
C To reduce mask leaks
D To increase oxygen delivery
Why A is correct: The primary function of EPAP (Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure) is to
eliminate desaturations and arousals by maintaining airway patency during expiration.
B — Comfort is a secondary consideration.
C — Leak reduction is not the primary function.
D — Oxygen delivery is not the primary function.
