Actual Exam with Complete Questions and Answers | Certified Polysomnographic
Technician | Sleep Technology Certification
Overview
This 2025/2026 validated resource contains the complete CPSGT Part 1 Final Exam with
actual questions and verified answers, directly aligned with current Board of Registered
Polysomnographic Technologists certification standards. Essential for sleep technology
professionals preparing for certification and demonstrating comprehensive knowledge in
polysomnography fundamentals and sleep disorder assessment.
Key Features
✓ 80-Question Comprehensive Exam matching BRPT testing format
✓ Polysomnography Fundamentals with technical applications
✓ Sleep Disorder Assessment with diagnostic protocols
✓ Updated 2025/2026 BRPT certification standards
✓ Patient Care & Safety with clinical procedures
Content Domains
• Sleep Science & Physiology (18 Questions)
• Polysomnographic Instrumentation (16 Questions)
• Sleep Disorder Identification (15 Questions)
• Patient Assessment & Preparation (13 Questions)
• Data Acquisition & Monitoring (10 Questions)
• Safety & Infection Control (8 Questions)
Answer Format
Verified correct answers in bold green with:
• Physiological mechanism explanations
• Equipment operation rationales
• Diagnostic protocol justifications
• Patient safety applications
Critical Updates 2025/2026
NEW - Home sleep apnea testing protocols
UPDATED - Scoring manual standards
REVISED - Patient monitoring guidelines
MODIFIED - Infection control procedures
SLEEP SCIENCE & PHYSIOLOGY (Questions 1–18)
1. Which neurotransmitter promotes wakefulness by activating the ascending reticular
activating system?
a) GABA
b) Histamine
, c) Melatonin
d) Glycine
b) Histamine
Rationale: Histaminergic neurons in the tuberomammillary nucleus maintain cortical
activation during wakefulness.
2. The majority of slow-wave sleep (N3) occurs predominantly in:
a) The first third of the night
b) The final third of the night
c) Randomly across the night
d) Only during naps
a) The first third of the night
Rationale: Homeostatic drive for deep sleep is highest early in the sleep period.
3. Which sleep stage is characterized by saw-tooth theta waves on EEG?
a) N1
b) N2
c) REM
d) N3
c) REM
Rationale: Saw-tooth waves are a unique EEG feature of REM sleep, often preceding
eye movements.
4. Sleep spindles are generated by the:
a) Hippocampus
b) Thalamo-cortical circuits
c) Medulla
d) Cerebellum
b) Thalamo-cortical circuits
Rationale: Spindles (12–16 Hz) result from interactions between thalamic reticular
nucleus and cortical neurons.
5. Which hormone peaks during the early evening and promotes sleep onset?
a) Cortisol
b) Growth hormone
c) Melatonin
d) Insulin
c) Melatonin
Rationale: Pineal melatonin secretion increases in darkness, signaling circadian sleep
phase.
6. During REM sleep, muscle atonia is mediated by:
a) Glycinergic inhibition of alpha motoneurons
b) Dopaminergic excitation
c) Histaminergic activation
d) Glutamatergic drive
a) Glycinergic inhibition of alpha motoneurons
Rationale: Brainstem glycinergic interneurons hyperpolarize spinal motoneurons,
preventing movement.
7. Which physiological parameter typically increases during REM sleep compared to
NREM?
a) Core body temperature
b) Heart rate variability