Domain 1

Artifact Recognition and Troubleshooting

Recognize common artifacts and take appropriate corrective action.

100questionsExam mode

Question 1 of 100

The pulse oximeter suddenly reads 72%, but the pleth waveform is irregular and the patient is talking comfortably. What is the best first action?

A.Start oxygen immediatelyB.Increase EEG gainC.Score hypoxemia without reviewD.Inspect and reposition the oximeter sensor

Question 2 of 100

A senior technologist asks a trainee to review this scenario. The pulse oximeter suddenly reads 72%, but the pleth waveform is irregular and the patient is talking comfortably. What is the best first action?

A.Start oxygen immediatelyB.Increase EEG gainC.Score hypoxemia without reviewD.Inspect and reposition the oximeter sensor

Question 3 of 100

During a supervised sleep-laboratory shift, consider the following situation. The pulse oximeter suddenly reads 72%, but the pleth waveform is irregular and the patient is talking comfortably. What is the best first action?

A.Increase EEG gainB.Score hypoxemia without reviewC.Inspect and reposition the oximeter sensorD.Start oxygen immediately

Question 4 of 100

For a quality-assurance exercise, review this case. The pulse oximeter suddenly reads 72%, but the pleth waveform is irregular and the patient is talking comfortably. What is the best first action?

A.Start oxygen immediatelyB.Score hypoxemia without reviewC.Increase EEG gainD.Inspect and reposition the oximeter sensor

Question 5 of 100

A board-style practice form presents this situation. The pulse oximeter suddenly reads 72%, but the pleth waveform is irregular and the patient is talking comfortably. What is the best first action?

A.Start oxygen immediatelyB.Score hypoxemia without reviewC.Inspect and reposition the oximeter sensorD.Increase EEG gain

Question 6 of 100

A loose EEG electrode causes abrupt sharp transients that appear and disappear. Which artifact is likely?

A.SnoringB.Central apneaC.Electrode poppingD.REM eye movements

Question 7 of 100

A senior technologist asks a trainee to review this scenario. A loose EEG electrode causes abrupt sharp transients that appear and disappear. Which artifact is likely?

A.Electrode poppingB.REM eye movementsC.SnoringD.Central apnea

Question 8 of 100

During a supervised sleep-laboratory shift, consider the following situation. A loose EEG electrode causes abrupt sharp transients that appear and disappear. Which artifact is likely?

A.Electrode poppingB.REM eye movementsC.Central apneaD.Snoring

Question 9 of 100

For a quality-assurance exercise, review this case. A loose EEG electrode causes abrupt sharp transients that appear and disappear. Which artifact is likely?

A.Central apneaB.REM eye movementsC.SnoringD.Electrode popping

Question 10 of 100

A board-style practice form presents this situation. A loose EEG electrode causes abrupt sharp transients that appear and disappear. Which artifact is likely?

A.REM eye movementsB.Central apneaC.SnoringD.Electrode popping

Question 11 of 100

Slow baseline drift appears as the patient sweats. What should the technician try first?

A.Remove all EEG channelsB.Increase PAP pressureC.Improve comfort and electrode contactD.Apply maximum high-frequency filtering

Question 12 of 100

A senior technologist asks a trainee to review this scenario. Slow baseline drift appears as the patient sweats. What should the technician try first?

A.Improve comfort and electrode contactB.Remove all EEG channelsC.Increase PAP pressureD.Apply maximum high-frequency filtering

Question 13 of 100

During a supervised sleep-laboratory shift, consider the following situation. Slow baseline drift appears as the patient sweats. What should the technician try first?

A.Remove all EEG channelsB.Improve comfort and electrode contactC.Apply maximum high-frequency filteringD.Increase PAP pressure

Question 14 of 100

For a quality-assurance exercise, review this case. Slow baseline drift appears as the patient sweats. What should the technician try first?

A.Apply maximum high-frequency filteringB.Improve comfort and electrode contactC.Remove all EEG channelsD.Increase PAP pressure

Question 15 of 100

A board-style practice form presents this situation. Slow baseline drift appears as the patient sweats. What should the technician try first?

A.Improve comfort and electrode contactB.Apply maximum high-frequency filteringC.Increase PAP pressureD.Remove all EEG channels

Question 16 of 100

A 60-Hz pattern appears in many channels at once. What is the best initial approach?

A.Look for a common electrical sourceB.Score an arousalC.Replace only the leg electrodeD.Increase oxygen flow

Question 17 of 100

A senior technologist asks a trainee to review this scenario. A 60-Hz pattern appears in many channels at once. What is the best initial approach?

A.Replace only the leg electrodeB.Increase oxygen flowC.Look for a common electrical sourceD.Score an arousal

Question 18 of 100

During a supervised sleep-laboratory shift, consider the following situation. A 60-Hz pattern appears in many channels at once. What is the best initial approach?

A.Replace only the leg electrodeB.Score an arousalC.Increase oxygen flowD.Look for a common electrical source

Question 19 of 100

For a quality-assurance exercise, review this case. A 60-Hz pattern appears in many channels at once. What is the best initial approach?

A.Look for a common electrical sourceB.Replace only the leg electrodeC.Score an arousalD.Increase oxygen flow

Question 20 of 100

A board-style practice form presents this situation. A 60-Hz pattern appears in many channels at once. What is the best initial approach?

A.Score an arousalB.Replace only the leg electrodeC.Increase oxygen flowD.Look for a common electrical source

Question 21 of 100

A regular high-frequency interference appears simultaneously in many channels. Which artifact is most likely?

A.A respiratory effort eventB.A sleep spindleC.A K complexD.50/60-Hz electrical interference

Question 22 of 100

A senior technologist asks a trainee to review this scenario. A regular high-frequency interference appears simultaneously in many channels. Which artifact is most likely?

A.A respiratory effort eventB.A sleep spindleC.50/60-Hz electrical interferenceD.A K complex

Question 23 of 100

During a supervised sleep-laboratory shift, consider the following situation. A regular high-frequency interference appears simultaneously in many channels. Which artifact is most likely?

A.A sleep spindleB.A K complexC.50/60-Hz electrical interferenceD.A respiratory effort event

Question 24 of 100

For a quality-assurance exercise, review this case. A regular high-frequency interference appears simultaneously in many channels. Which artifact is most likely?

A.A sleep spindleB.A respiratory effort eventC.A K complexD.50/60-Hz electrical interference

Question 25 of 100

A board-style practice form presents this situation. A regular high-frequency interference appears simultaneously in many channels. Which artifact is most likely?

A.A respiratory effort eventB.A sleep spindleC.50/60-Hz electrical interferenceD.A K complex

Question 26 of 100

Slow rolling baseline drift appears in several channels while the patient is sweating. What is most likely?

A.A leg movementB.REM sleepC.Sweat artifactD.ECG artifact

Question 27 of 100

A senior technologist asks a trainee to review this scenario. Slow rolling baseline drift appears in several channels while the patient is sweating. What is most likely?

A.Sweat artifactB.A leg movementC.ECG artifactD.REM sleep

Question 28 of 100

During a supervised sleep-laboratory shift, consider the following situation. Slow rolling baseline drift appears in several channels while the patient is sweating. What is most likely?

A.ECG artifactB.A leg movementC.Sweat artifactD.REM sleep

Question 29 of 100

For a quality-assurance exercise, review this case. Slow rolling baseline drift appears in several channels while the patient is sweating. What is most likely?

A.ECG artifactB.Sweat artifactC.REM sleepD.A leg movement

Question 30 of 100

A board-style practice form presents this situation. Slow rolling baseline drift appears in several channels while the patient is sweating. What is most likely?

A.REM sleepB.Sweat artifactC.A leg movementD.ECG artifact

Question 31 of 100

A single EEG channel shows abrupt isolated pops. What is the first troubleshooting target?

A.That electrode and lead connectionB.The CPAP humidifierC.The body-position sensorD.The oximeter probe

Question 32 of 100

A senior technologist asks a trainee to review this scenario. A single EEG channel shows abrupt isolated pops. What is the first troubleshooting target?

A.The oximeter probeB.The CPAP humidifierC.That electrode and lead connectionD.The body-position sensor

Question 33 of 100

During a supervised sleep-laboratory shift, consider the following situation. A single EEG channel shows abrupt isolated pops. What is the first troubleshooting target?

A.The oximeter probeB.The CPAP humidifierC.That electrode and lead connectionD.The body-position sensor

Question 34 of 100

For a quality-assurance exercise, review this case. A single EEG channel shows abrupt isolated pops. What is the first troubleshooting target?

A.The body-position sensorB.That electrode and lead connectionC.The oximeter probeD.The CPAP humidifier

Question 35 of 100

A board-style practice form presents this situation. A single EEG channel shows abrupt isolated pops. What is the first troubleshooting target?

A.The oximeter probeB.The CPAP humidifierC.That electrode and lead connectionD.The body-position sensor

Question 36 of 100

A waveform repeating at the heart rate appears in an EEG channel. What is likely?

A.ArousalB.N3 sleepC.SnoringD.ECG artifact

Question 37 of 100

A senior technologist asks a trainee to review this scenario. A waveform repeating at the heart rate appears in an EEG channel. What is likely?

A.SnoringB.N3 sleepC.ECG artifactD.Arousal

Question 38 of 100

During a supervised sleep-laboratory shift, consider the following situation. A waveform repeating at the heart rate appears in an EEG channel. What is likely?

A.ECG artifactB.N3 sleepC.ArousalD.Snoring

Question 39 of 100

For a quality-assurance exercise, review this case. A waveform repeating at the heart rate appears in an EEG channel. What is likely?

A.SnoringB.ECG artifactC.ArousalD.N3 sleep

Question 40 of 100

A board-style practice form presents this situation. A waveform repeating at the heart rate appears in an EEG channel. What is likely?

A.ArousalB.ECG artifactC.SnoringD.N3 sleep

Question 41 of 100

A pulse-synchronous waveform appears in the oximeter plethysmogram but saturation is stable. What does it represent?

A.Leg EMG artifactB.A central apneaC.The expected pulse waveformD.A K complex

Question 42 of 100

A senior technologist asks a trainee to review this scenario. A pulse-synchronous waveform appears in the oximeter plethysmogram but saturation is stable. What does it represent?

A.Leg EMG artifactB.A central apneaC.A K complexD.The expected pulse waveform

Question 43 of 100

During a supervised sleep-laboratory shift, consider the following situation. A pulse-synchronous waveform appears in the oximeter plethysmogram but saturation is stable. What does it represent?

A.A central apneaB.Leg EMG artifactC.The expected pulse waveformD.A K complex

Question 44 of 100

For a quality-assurance exercise, review this case. A pulse-synchronous waveform appears in the oximeter plethysmogram but saturation is stable. What does it represent?

A.Leg EMG artifactB.The expected pulse waveformC.A central apneaD.A K complex

Question 45 of 100

A board-style practice form presents this situation. A pulse-synchronous waveform appears in the oximeter plethysmogram but saturation is stable. What does it represent?

A.The expected pulse waveformB.Leg EMG artifactC.A K complexD.A central apnea

Question 46 of 100

Broad irregular deflections occur when the patient turns in bed. What is most likely?

A.A respiratory effort-related arousalB.Movement artifactC.A sleep spindleD.Ventricular fibrillation

Question 47 of 100

A senior technologist asks a trainee to review this scenario. Broad irregular deflections occur when the patient turns in bed. What is most likely?

A.Movement artifactB.A sleep spindleC.A respiratory effort-related arousalD.Ventricular fibrillation

Question 48 of 100

During a supervised sleep-laboratory shift, consider the following situation. Broad irregular deflections occur when the patient turns in bed. What is most likely?

A.A respiratory effort-related arousalB.Ventricular fibrillationC.Movement artifactD.A sleep spindle

Question 49 of 100

For a quality-assurance exercise, review this case. Broad irregular deflections occur when the patient turns in bed. What is most likely?

A.A sleep spindleB.Movement artifactC.A respiratory effort-related arousalD.Ventricular fibrillation

Question 50 of 100

A board-style practice form presents this situation. Broad irregular deflections occur when the patient turns in bed. What is most likely?

A.A sleep spindleB.Ventricular fibrillationC.A respiratory effort-related arousalD.Movement artifact

Question 51 of 100

The nasal pressure signal suddenly becomes flat while thermistor and effort continue normally. What should be checked?

A.Room lightingB.Cannula position and tubing connectionC.Leg electrodesD.ECG sensitivity only

Question 52 of 100

A senior technologist asks a trainee to review this scenario. The nasal pressure signal suddenly becomes flat while thermistor and effort continue normally. What should be checked?

A.Leg electrodesB.ECG sensitivity onlyC.Room lightingD.Cannula position and tubing connection

Question 53 of 100

During a supervised sleep-laboratory shift, consider the following situation. The nasal pressure signal suddenly becomes flat while thermistor and effort continue normally. What should be checked?

A.Room lightingB.Cannula position and tubing connectionC.Leg electrodesD.ECG sensitivity only

Question 54 of 100

For a quality-assurance exercise, review this case. The nasal pressure signal suddenly becomes flat while thermistor and effort continue normally. What should be checked?

A.Leg electrodesB.ECG sensitivity onlyC.Room lightingD.Cannula position and tubing connection

Question 55 of 100

A board-style practice form presents this situation. The nasal pressure signal suddenly becomes flat while thermistor and effort continue normally. What should be checked?

A.ECG sensitivity onlyB.Cannula position and tubing connectionC.Leg electrodesD.Room lighting

Question 56 of 100

Thoracic effort is present but the abdominal belt is flat for the remainder of the study. What is likely?

A.Normal REM physiologyB.Definite central apnea throughoutC.Oximeter artifactD.Abdominal belt or channel failure

Question 57 of 100

A senior technologist asks a trainee to review this scenario. Thoracic effort is present but the abdominal belt is flat for the remainder of the study. What is likely?

A.Abdominal belt or channel failureB.Oximeter artifactC.Definite central apnea throughoutD.Normal REM physiology

Question 58 of 100

During a supervised sleep-laboratory shift, consider the following situation. Thoracic effort is present but the abdominal belt is flat for the remainder of the study. What is likely?

A.Oximeter artifactB.Abdominal belt or channel failureC.Definite central apnea throughoutD.Normal REM physiology

Question 59 of 100

For a quality-assurance exercise, review this case. Thoracic effort is present but the abdominal belt is flat for the remainder of the study. What is likely?

A.Normal REM physiologyB.Definite central apnea throughoutC.Abdominal belt or channel failureD.Oximeter artifact

Question 60 of 100

A board-style practice form presents this situation. Thoracic effort is present but the abdominal belt is flat for the remainder of the study. What is likely?

A.Abdominal belt or channel failureB.Oximeter artifactC.Definite central apnea throughoutD.Normal REM physiology

Question 61 of 100

The oximeter shows abrupt impossible drops with a poor pleth waveform during hand movement. What is most likely?

A.Motion artifactB.Sustained hypoxemiaC.HyperventilationD.REM sleep

Question 62 of 100

A senior technologist asks a trainee to review this scenario. The oximeter shows abrupt impossible drops with a poor pleth waveform during hand movement. What is most likely?

A.HyperventilationB.Motion artifactC.Sustained hypoxemiaD.REM sleep

Question 63 of 100

During a supervised sleep-laboratory shift, consider the following situation. The oximeter shows abrupt impossible drops with a poor pleth waveform during hand movement. What is most likely?

A.REM sleepB.Motion artifactC.HyperventilationD.Sustained hypoxemia

Question 64 of 100

For a quality-assurance exercise, review this case. The oximeter shows abrupt impossible drops with a poor pleth waveform during hand movement. What is most likely?

A.Motion artifactB.REM sleepC.Sustained hypoxemiaD.Hyperventilation

Question 65 of 100

A board-style practice form presents this situation. The oximeter shows abrupt impossible drops with a poor pleth waveform during hand movement. What is most likely?

A.HyperventilationB.Sustained hypoxemiaC.Motion artifactD.REM sleep

Question 66 of 100

A snore microphone signal continues despite the patient being awake and silent. What should be suspected?

A.N3 sleepB.A normal calibration responseC.Sensor or environmental artifactD.Severe obstructive apnea

Question 67 of 100

A senior technologist asks a trainee to review this scenario. A snore microphone signal continues despite the patient being awake and silent. What should be suspected?

A.Sensor or environmental artifactB.N3 sleepC.Severe obstructive apneaD.A normal calibration response

Question 68 of 100

During a supervised sleep-laboratory shift, consider the following situation. A snore microphone signal continues despite the patient being awake and silent. What should be suspected?

A.A normal calibration responseB.N3 sleepC.Severe obstructive apneaD.Sensor or environmental artifact

Question 69 of 100

For a quality-assurance exercise, review this case. A snore microphone signal continues despite the patient being awake and silent. What should be suspected?

A.A normal calibration responseB.Severe obstructive apneaC.N3 sleepD.Sensor or environmental artifact

Question 70 of 100

A board-style practice form presents this situation. A snore microphone signal continues despite the patient being awake and silent. What should be suspected?

A.Sensor or environmental artifactB.N3 sleepC.Severe obstructive apneaD.A normal calibration response

Question 71 of 100

The position channel reads supine while video shows the patient lying laterally. What should be done?

A.Change the video labelB.Check the position sensor orientation and document the discrepancyC.Score all events as supineD.Ignore the video

Question 72 of 100

A senior technologist asks a trainee to review this scenario. The position channel reads supine while video shows the patient lying laterally. What should be done?

A.Score all events as supineB.Ignore the videoC.Check the position sensor orientation and document the discrepancyD.Change the video label

Question 73 of 100

During a supervised sleep-laboratory shift, consider the following situation. The position channel reads supine while video shows the patient lying laterally. What should be done?

A.Check the position sensor orientation and document the discrepancyB.Ignore the videoC.Score all events as supineD.Change the video label

Question 74 of 100

For a quality-assurance exercise, review this case. The position channel reads supine while video shows the patient lying laterally. What should be done?

A.Ignore the videoB.Change the video labelC.Score all events as supineD.Check the position sensor orientation and document the discrepancy

Question 75 of 100

A board-style practice form presents this situation. The position channel reads supine while video shows the patient lying laterally. What should be done?

A.Change the video labelB.Ignore the videoC.Check the position sensor orientation and document the discrepancyD.Score all events as supine

Question 76 of 100

Several channels worsen after one reference electrode loosens. Why?

A.The oximeter failedB.A shared reference problem can contaminate multiple derivationsC.The patient entered REMD.PAP pressure is too low

Question 77 of 100

A senior technologist asks a trainee to review this scenario. Several channels worsen after one reference electrode loosens. Why?

A.PAP pressure is too lowB.A shared reference problem can contaminate multiple derivationsC.The oximeter failedD.The patient entered REM

Question 78 of 100

During a supervised sleep-laboratory shift, consider the following situation. Several channels worsen after one reference electrode loosens. Why?

A.The patient entered REMB.PAP pressure is too lowC.The oximeter failedD.A shared reference problem can contaminate multiple derivations

Question 79 of 100

For a quality-assurance exercise, review this case. Several channels worsen after one reference electrode loosens. Why?

A.A shared reference problem can contaminate multiple derivationsB.The oximeter failedC.PAP pressure is too lowD.The patient entered REM

Question 80 of 100

A board-style practice form presents this situation. Several channels worsen after one reference electrode loosens. Why?

A.The patient entered REMB.The oximeter failedC.PAP pressure is too lowD.A shared reference problem can contaminate multiple derivations

Question 81 of 100

The top and bottom of a waveform are cut off on the display. What is this called?

A.Normal calibrationB.Clipping or saturationC.A K complexD.Aliasing only

Question 82 of 100

A senior technologist asks a trainee to review this scenario. The top and bottom of a waveform are cut off on the display. What is this called?

A.Aliasing onlyB.Clipping or saturationC.Normal calibrationD.A K complex

Question 83 of 100

During a supervised sleep-laboratory shift, consider the following situation. The top and bottom of a waveform are cut off on the display. What is this called?

A.Aliasing onlyB.A K complexC.Clipping or saturationD.Normal calibration

Question 84 of 100

For a quality-assurance exercise, review this case. The top and bottom of a waveform are cut off on the display. What is this called?

A.Clipping or saturationB.Normal calibrationC.Aliasing onlyD.A K complex

Question 85 of 100

A board-style practice form presents this situation. The top and bottom of a waveform are cut off on the display. What is this called?

A.A K complexB.Aliasing onlyC.Normal calibrationD.Clipping or saturation

Question 86 of 100

A low-frequency baseline shift occurs with breathing in an EEG lead. What may be occurring?

A.Movement or electrode artifact linked to respirationB.A scored apneaC.A PVCD.A sleep spindle

Question 87 of 100

A senior technologist asks a trainee to review this scenario. A low-frequency baseline shift occurs with breathing in an EEG lead. What may be occurring?

A.A sleep spindleB.Movement or electrode artifact linked to respirationC.A scored apneaD.A PVC

Question 88 of 100

During a supervised sleep-laboratory shift, consider the following situation. A low-frequency baseline shift occurs with breathing in an EEG lead. What may be occurring?

A.A scored apneaB.A PVCC.A sleep spindleD.Movement or electrode artifact linked to respiration

Question 89 of 100

For a quality-assurance exercise, review this case. A low-frequency baseline shift occurs with breathing in an EEG lead. What may be occurring?

A.A PVCB.A sleep spindleC.A scored apneaD.Movement or electrode artifact linked to respiration

Question 90 of 100

A board-style practice form presents this situation. A low-frequency baseline shift occurs with breathing in an EEG lead. What may be occurring?

A.A scored apneaB.A sleep spindleC.Movement or electrode artifact linked to respirationD.A PVC

Question 91 of 100

Leg EMG becomes flat after the patient returns from the restroom. What is the best first action?

A.Inspect and reconnect the leg electrodesB.Change the EEG filterC.Delete all prior leg dataD.Increase CPAP pressure

Question 92 of 100

A senior technologist asks a trainee to review this scenario. Leg EMG becomes flat after the patient returns from the restroom. What is the best first action?

A.Change the EEG filterB.Delete all prior leg dataC.Inspect and reconnect the leg electrodesD.Increase CPAP pressure

Question 93 of 100

During a supervised sleep-laboratory shift, consider the following situation. Leg EMG becomes flat after the patient returns from the restroom. What is the best first action?

A.Delete all prior leg dataB.Inspect and reconnect the leg electrodesC.Change the EEG filterD.Increase CPAP pressure

Question 94 of 100

For a quality-assurance exercise, review this case. Leg EMG becomes flat after the patient returns from the restroom. What is the best first action?

A.Increase CPAP pressureB.Inspect and reconnect the leg electrodesC.Change the EEG filterD.Delete all prior leg data

Question 95 of 100

A board-style practice form presents this situation. Leg EMG becomes flat after the patient returns from the restroom. What is the best first action?

A.Increase CPAP pressureB.Change the EEG filterC.Delete all prior leg dataD.Inspect and reconnect the leg electrodes

Question 96 of 100

When a signal looks abnormal, what is the best general troubleshooting sequence?

A.Assess the patient, compare related channels, inspect the sensor and document correctionB.Apply maximum filteringC.Immediately delete the channelD.Assume the patient has a new disorder

Question 97 of 100

A senior technologist asks a trainee to review this scenario. When a signal looks abnormal, what is the best general troubleshooting sequence?

A.Assume the patient has a new disorderB.Immediately delete the channelC.Apply maximum filteringD.Assess the patient, compare related channels, inspect the sensor and document correction

Question 98 of 100

During a supervised sleep-laboratory shift, consider the following situation. When a signal looks abnormal, what is the best general troubleshooting sequence?

A.Assess the patient, compare related channels, inspect the sensor and document correctionB.Apply maximum filteringC.Assume the patient has a new disorderD.Immediately delete the channel

Question 99 of 100

For a quality-assurance exercise, review this case. When a signal looks abnormal, what is the best general troubleshooting sequence?

A.Assume the patient has a new disorderB.Assess the patient, compare related channels, inspect the sensor and document correctionC.Immediately delete the channelD.Apply maximum filtering

Question 100 of 100

A board-style practice form presents this situation. When a signal looks abnormal, what is the best general troubleshooting sequence?

A.Assess the patient, compare related channels, inspect the sensor and document correctionB.Immediately delete the channelC.Assume the patient has a new disorderD.Apply maximum filtering

Reference framework

These are independently written educational questions aligned to the public BRPT blueprint and professional technical references. Always use the current official scoring manual, laboratory policy and clinician orders in practice.