Life as a Sleep Technologist

Question 1

The term ___ is used to describe work hours that occur on a schedule outside of the traditional 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. day. The tendency is to eat fatty or sugary foods and to drink caffeinated beverages and energy drinks throughout the night in attempts to stay alert.

Answer 1

shift work

Question 2

These habits, and shift work in general, can have profoundly _______ to one’s health.

Answer 2

negative consequences

Question 3

Working a night shift, also known as a ______ , is suspected of increasing the likelihood of ____ and ______.

Answer 3

graveyard shift / cancer and ischemic heart disease

Question 4

In ___ , the _______ listed night work as a “probable cause” of cancer.

Answer 4

2007 / International Agency for Research on Cancer

Question 5

Many shift workers suffer from ___

Answer 5

insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), impaired alertness and cognition, and difficulty maintaining wakefulness during work.

Question 6

____ in a healthcare worker is a risk to both the individual and his or her patients. It can pose dangers that include patient care errors, poor judgment, delayed reaction, and even drowsy driving on the ride home from a work shift.

Answer 6

Drowsiness

Question 7

Signs of sleepiness: _____ and so on.

Answer 7

blinking, yawning, dry or tired eyes, nodding off,

Question 8

To improve sleep and wakefulness in shift workers, the _______ recommends the following:
Bedtime rituals, light, sound, exercise, food, driving home, sleep schedule, staying alert at work.

Answer 8

National Sleep Foundation

Question 9

a. Take a warm bath.
b. Lower the room temperature. Cool environments are associated with better sleep quality.
c. Avoid pre bedtime tasks such as balancing the checkbook or reading an exciting novel that would make it more difficult to fall asleep.

Answer 9

Bedtime rituals:

Question 10

a. Darken the bedroom and bathroom.
b. Install light-blocking and sound-absorbing curtains or shades.
c. Wear eyeshades.

Answer 10

Light:

Question 11

a. Wear earplugs.
b. Use a white noise maker or fan.
c. Install carpeting and drapes to block out noise.
d. Unplug the telephone.

Answer 11

Sound:

Question 12

a. Avoid caffeine for at least 5 hours before bedtime.
b. Do not drink alcohol before bedtime.

Answer 12

Food:

Question 13

a. Do not exercise heavily within 3 hours of bedtime.

Answer 13

Exercise:

Question 14

a. Avoid long naps, even on weekends.
b. Taking short naps (20 minutes) can be especially helpful.
c. Try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule, even on days or nights when not working.

Answer 14

Sleep schedule:

Question 15

a. Loud music and windows down do not help a person stay awake while driving. Doing these things are signals that you are sleepy, and you should pull over and rest for a few minutes.
b. Taking a short nap at work at the end of your shift may help you stay awake while driving home.
c. If driving home in the morning, wear dark sunglasses. Overexposure to light after working a night shift can damage your eyes and make it more difficult to fall asleep.
d. Carpool or use public transportation when possible.

Answer 15

Driving home:

Question 16

a. Take short breaks throughout the shift.
b. Talk with coworkers when possible. Conversations with coworkers can help you stay awake and alert.
c. Use breaks to get away from the desk or computer; go outside, exercise, walk, climb the stairs, or the like.
d. Eat three normal, healthy meals. Avoid fatty foods that may make you tired or upset your stomach.
e. Caffeine consumption should be kept to a minimum; consume only during the first part of the shift.
f. Do not leave the most tedious or boring tasks for the end of the shift when you are most likely to be tired.
g. Night shift workers hit their lowest point of alertness at 4 A.M., so plan breaks at that time.
h. Turn on all the lights in your work area. Encourage your employer to install bright lights.

Answer 16

Staying alert at work:

Question 17

Maintaining _____ in the sleep lab environment is best achieved through the use of facility protocols.

Answer 17

patient safety

Question 18

Some of the most commonly addressed safety measures in the sleep lab are:

Answer 18

Electrical safety
Chemical safety
Falls
Disaster planning
Patient medical events

Question 19

Equipment such as _____ and other _____ should be properly grounded to the building’s main electrical ground and should always be used according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

Answer 19

continuous positive airway pressure machines, differential amplifiers, / ancillary equipment

Question 20

Check all electrical cables to ensure there are no _____

Answer 20

exposed, bare, or frayed wires.

Question 21

Medical equipment should be inspected for safety by a professional electrician at least ____

Answer 21

once a year.

Question 22

All chemicals in the sleep lab must have a _______ available.

Answer 22

material safety data sheet (MSDS)

Question 23

This important resource contains detailed information on the chemical properties, warnings, safety precautions, and exposure information of a substance and are typically kept in a binder or a digital location that is accessible to the staff.

Answer 23

material safety data sheet (MSDS)

Question 24

Products frequently used in the sleep lab environment that require an MSDS include _______

Answer 24

collodion, electroencephalogram (EEG) paste, prepping solutions and gels, alcohol, and cleaners.

Question 25

Precautions should be taken in the sleep lab to identify situations that can increase the risk of ____. Because patients may need to use the bathroom during the night, _____ should be in place to illuminate the way. Finally, when appropriate, ___ should be used to help prevent at-risk patients from falling out of bed.

Answer 25

falls / lighting / bed rails

Question 26

Every sleep lab should have written ____ and _____ in place for loss of power, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, bomb threats, explosions, gas leaks, and other potential emergent situations.

Answer 26

emergency protocols and a disaster plan

Question 27

The _____ should make clear how to announce the emergency, who is responsible for responding, and procedures for technologists to follow to ensure the safety of patients.

Answer 27

plans

Question 28

All employees should be knowledgeable about the ________, including where emergency equipment is stored and how to use it (for example, fire extinguishers). In addition, _____ should actively participate in practice drills and trainings on a periodic basis.

Answer 28

facility’s emergency protocols / technologists

Question 29

A list of emergency numbers such as poison control, police, and fire should be ___ and ____

Answer 29

posted and clearly visible.

Question 30

When they arrive at the sleep lab, patients should be shown all
_____ and ____ for evacuation in case of a crisis.

Answer 30

emergency exits and pathways

Question 31

______ must be properly trained and prepared to respond to various patient medical events, including cardiac arrest.

Answer 31

Sleep technologists

Question 32

Other examples of patient medical emergencies: _____

Answer 32

Severe breathing difficulties, prolonged seizure activity, and symptomatic cardiac arrhythmias.

Question 33

____ refers to a set of guidelines and principles used to help prevent the spread of disease.

Answer 33

Infection control

Question 34

____ is of particular importance in the healthcare industry, where direct contact between employee and patient are frequent, and exposure to blood, saliva, or other bodily fluids may occur.

Answer 34

Infection control

Question 35

____ refers to the practice of avoiding contact with patients’ bodily fluids by wearing gloves, and goggles or face shields when appropriate.

Answer 35

Universal precautions

Question 36

A sleep study set-up includes the application of electrodes to the scalp, face, and body of the patient. To avoid the spread of infection, sleep technologists should ____ with an ____ before and after contact with each patient.

Answer 36

wash their hands / antibiotic soap

Question 37

Technologists should wear _____ when working with patients. This protects both the patient and the technologist from exposure to pathogens.

Answer 37

nonlatex gloves

Question 38

__ should fit comfortably and be changed for each patient.

Answer 38

Gloves

Question 39

______ should be used when possible to prevent the spread of disease from patient to patient.

Answer 39

Disposable equipment

Question 40

Airflow sensors placed directly under a patient’s nose are subject to droplet exposure, which can spread to the next patient if not properly cleaned. _____ airflow sensors can decrease the risk of this occurring.

Answer 40

Disposable

Question 41

All ______ should be thoroughly and properly cleaned after each use.

Answer 41

nondisposable equipment

Question 42

Most private sleep-testing facilities will use disinfectants such as ____ to clean
_____

Answer 42

Control III / wires, electrodes, equipment, and surfaces.

Question 43

Nondisposable sensors, such as ____ or ____ sensors that cannot be submersed in liquid, should be cleaned with a disinfectant wipe or according to the ____

Answer 43

respiratory effort belts or pulse oximeter / disinfectant wipe / manufacturer’s recommendations.

Question 44

Healthcare professionals are expected to conduct themselves in a______ and abide by a high standard of _____

Answer 44

professional manner / ethical principle.

Question 45

They are expected to advocate for quality care and support positive health outcomes for their patients.

Answer 45

Healthcare professionals

Question 46

As part of the healthcare team, sleep professionals should work collaboratively with other clinicians and perform their duties with ___ ___ and ___

Answer 46

honesty, integrity, and accountability.

Question 47

In addition, acting in a professional manner includes ____ and ____. This typically includes ___ and a _____ if in a clinical or entry-level role, or business attire if in a managerial role.

Answer 47

dressing in appropriate attire and according to their facility’s protocol / donning scrubs / white lab coat

Question 48

_____ are prime candidates to give feedback to sleep technicians regarding study quality, because they carefully review every epoch of data recorded.

Answer 48

Scoring technologists

Question 49

They can give subjective ratings of the quality of each signal, the titration, the notes, procedures, and patient questionnaires.

Answer 49

Scoring technologists

Question 50

In ___ ,______ developed the first formal training program for sleep technologists and physicians—the School of Sleep Medicine— at Stanford University.

Answer 50

1982, Mary Carskadon, William Dement, and Sharon Keenan

Question 51

The ______ has become a great resource for various sleep training programs, including the Accredited Sleep Technologist Education Program and online training modules.

Answer 51

American Academy of Sleep Medicine

Question 52

These programs are useful for basic training and in helping technologists prepare for the national sleep credentialing examinations.

Answer 52

Accredited Sleep Technologist Education Program and online training modules.

Question 53

The most common credentialing path is offered by the ____

Answer 53

Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT).

Question 54

After meeting the requirements to sit for the BRPT examination and successfully passing it, the sleep technologist may use the
______ credential.

Answer 54

Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT)

Question 55

The AASM has also developed the _____ credential for sleep technologists. The examination for the ___ credential has eligibility requirements that include previous experience in the field.

Answer 55

Registered Sleep Technologist (RST)

Question 56

there is the ____ and ____ credential offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care. This credential was designed specifically for respiratory therapists who chose to specialize in sleep diagnostics and therapeutics and is designated by the acronyms ______

Answer 56

Sleep Disorders Testing and Therapeutic Intervention

CRT-SDS or RRT-SDS.