Sleep

Question 1

Name the characteristic wave pattern associated with each stage of sleep (think BATS Drink Blood in sleep)

Answer 1

BATS Drink Blood in sleep
a) Awake w/ eyes open –> Beta waves
b) Awake w/ eyes closed –> Alpha waves
c) NREM/Slow Wave Sleep (70-80%)
— Stage N1: Theta waves
— Stage N2: Sleep spindles (and K–complexes)
— Stage N3/N4 (deep sleep): Delta waves
d) REM/Paradoxical Sleep: Beta Waves

As you move from Awake to N4 –> frequency decreases and amplitude INCREASES*

Question 2

What effect do SSRIs have on sleep patterns?

Answer 2

Increased REM sleep latency which leads to disturbed and fragmented sleep (with reduced REM duration and reduced REM density). To prevent insomnia and other sleep-related concerns, SSRIs should be taken in the morning.

Question 3

Common sleep changes characteristic of the elderly include what two findings?

Answer 3

Decrease in REM sleep and decrease in slow-wave sleep

Question 4

What percentage of time does an adult spend in REM sleep?

Answer 4

25%

Question 5

Delta waves occur in what stage of sleep?

Answer 5

N3 or “slow-wave” sleep (NREM) – EOG findings show absent eye movements. This is the deepest stage of sleep.

Question 6

Sleep spindles and K-complexes occur in what stage of sleep?

Answer 6

N2 (NREM) – EOG findings show slow, rolling eye movements