ABDSM FINAL EXAM COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS WITH MULTIPLE CHOICES
VERIFIED AND REVISED ANSWERS (NEW) 2026
1. Which of the following statements is true regarding a modified mallampati classification
of the oral pharynx?
A. Mallampati II allows visualization of only the hard palate
B. Malampati III allows visualization of only the hard palate
C. Malampati classifications are taken with the patient sedated and reclined
D. Mallampati classifications of IV have greater odds ratio than Mallampati
classifications of I for severe OSA
Answer D. Mallampati classifications of IV have greater odds ratio than Mallampati
classifications of I for severe OSA
2. What 8 item questionnaire was developed to perioperatively screen for risk of OSA?
A. ESS
B. STOP-BANG
C. MSLT
D. Berlin
Answer B. STOP-BANG
, ABDSM FINAL EXAM COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS WITH MULTIPLE CHOICES
VERIFIED & REVISED ANSWERS (NEW) 2026
3. In the pathophysiology of sleep apnea, airway patency and stability is promoted by which
factor?
A. Increased lung volume
B. Shorter mandible
C. Increased parapharyngeal fat deposition
D. Negative inspiratory pressure
E. Reduced pharyngeal muscle dilator activity
Answer A. Increased lung volume
4. Oral appliance therapy commonly provides successful sole therapy for which of the
following sleep-related breathing disorders?
A. Primary central sleep apnea
B. Cheyne-Stoke periodic breathing
C. Obesity hypoventilation
D. Overlap syndrome (OSA and COPD)
E. None of the above
Answer E. None of the above
, ABDSM FINAL EXAM COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS WITH MULTIPLE CHOICES
VERIFIED & REVISED ANSWERS (NEW) 2026
5. Which of the following is true about OSA and HTN?
A. Ambulatory BP is increased in OSA patients primarily due to increased salt intake
associated with elevated ghrelin levels
B. Ambulatory BP normally increases in the early AM before awakening - this increase is
blunted in OSA
C. Untreated OSA is associated with a similar risk of HTN at all severity levelsD. The risk
of HTN in untreated OSA is due to intermittent hypoxia, sympathetic
overactivation, inflammation, and other complex factors
Answer D. The risk of HTN in untreated OSA is due to intermittent hypoxia, sympathetic
overactivation, inflammation, and other complex factors
6. Across a general population, what is the most common sleep disorder?
A. RLS
B. Narcolepsy
C. Delayed sleep phase syndrome
D. Insomnia
E. Obstructive sleep apnea
Answer D. Insomnia
, ABDSM FINAL EXAM COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS WITH MULTIPLE CHOICES
VERIFIED & REVISED ANSWERS (NEW) 2026
7. Measurement has shown that patients with sleep apnea have smaller upper airways
than those without sleep apnea but manage to keep an open airway during wakefulness
by:
A. Mouth Breathing
B. Increased muscle tone on inspiration
C. Increased blood flow to the soft tissue
D. Frequent bruxing
Answer B. Increased muscle tone on inspiration
8. Key features of sleep apnea as recorded during an in-lab sleep study include marked
reduction or absence of air flow, arousals from sleep, slowing of heart rate and:
A. Choking or gasping for air
B. Oxygen desaturation
C. Flattening of the nasal pressure signal
D. Flailing of the arms and legs
E. Sawtooth waves in the EEG
Answer B. Oxygen Desaturation
VERIFIED AND REVISED ANSWERS (NEW) 2026
1. Which of the following statements is true regarding a modified mallampati classification
of the oral pharynx?
A. Mallampati II allows visualization of only the hard palate
B. Malampati III allows visualization of only the hard palate
C. Malampati classifications are taken with the patient sedated and reclined
D. Mallampati classifications of IV have greater odds ratio than Mallampati
classifications of I for severe OSA
Answer D. Mallampati classifications of IV have greater odds ratio than Mallampati
classifications of I for severe OSA
2. What 8 item questionnaire was developed to perioperatively screen for risk of OSA?
A. ESS
B. STOP-BANG
C. MSLT
D. Berlin
Answer B. STOP-BANG
, ABDSM FINAL EXAM COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS WITH MULTIPLE CHOICES
VERIFIED & REVISED ANSWERS (NEW) 2026
3. In the pathophysiology of sleep apnea, airway patency and stability is promoted by which
factor?
A. Increased lung volume
B. Shorter mandible
C. Increased parapharyngeal fat deposition
D. Negative inspiratory pressure
E. Reduced pharyngeal muscle dilator activity
Answer A. Increased lung volume
4. Oral appliance therapy commonly provides successful sole therapy for which of the
following sleep-related breathing disorders?
A. Primary central sleep apnea
B. Cheyne-Stoke periodic breathing
C. Obesity hypoventilation
D. Overlap syndrome (OSA and COPD)
E. None of the above
Answer E. None of the above
, ABDSM FINAL EXAM COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS WITH MULTIPLE CHOICES
VERIFIED & REVISED ANSWERS (NEW) 2026
5. Which of the following is true about OSA and HTN?
A. Ambulatory BP is increased in OSA patients primarily due to increased salt intake
associated with elevated ghrelin levels
B. Ambulatory BP normally increases in the early AM before awakening - this increase is
blunted in OSA
C. Untreated OSA is associated with a similar risk of HTN at all severity levelsD. The risk
of HTN in untreated OSA is due to intermittent hypoxia, sympathetic
overactivation, inflammation, and other complex factors
Answer D. The risk of HTN in untreated OSA is due to intermittent hypoxia, sympathetic
overactivation, inflammation, and other complex factors
6. Across a general population, what is the most common sleep disorder?
A. RLS
B. Narcolepsy
C. Delayed sleep phase syndrome
D. Insomnia
E. Obstructive sleep apnea
Answer D. Insomnia
, ABDSM FINAL EXAM COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS WITH MULTIPLE CHOICES
VERIFIED & REVISED ANSWERS (NEW) 2026
7. Measurement has shown that patients with sleep apnea have smaller upper airways
than those without sleep apnea but manage to keep an open airway during wakefulness
by:
A. Mouth Breathing
B. Increased muscle tone on inspiration
C. Increased blood flow to the soft tissue
D. Frequent bruxing
Answer B. Increased muscle tone on inspiration
8. Key features of sleep apnea as recorded during an in-lab sleep study include marked
reduction or absence of air flow, arousals from sleep, slowing of heart rate and:
A. Choking or gasping for air
B. Oxygen desaturation
C. Flattening of the nasal pressure signal
D. Flailing of the arms and legs
E. Sawtooth waves in the EEG
Answer B. Oxygen Desaturation
