Respiratory medicine: obstructive sleep apnoea: practice question

A General Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Medicine · Respiratory medicine: obstructive sleep apnoea

Sample item

An obese man with loud snoring, witnessed apnoeas and daytime sleepiness undergoes polysomnography. Which finding confirms OSA?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Apnoea-hypopnoea index of 5 or more per hour with symptoms

Polysomnography is the gold standard, and an AHI of 5 or more with symptoms (or 15 or more regardless) diagnoses OSA. CPAP is the treatment for moderate to severe disease. Weight reduction and avoiding alcohol and sedatives help.

Option by option

  • A. Raised serum bicarbonate only

    Bicarbonate suggests hypoventilation but does not diagnose OSA.

  • B. Apnoea-hypopnoea index of 5 or more per hour with symptoms (correct)

    Correct. AHI of 5 or more with symptoms confirms OSA.

  • C. Reduced FEV1/FVC

    FEV1/FVC reduction suggests obstructive airway disease.

  • D. Polycythaemia alone

    Polycythaemia is a consequence, not a diagnostic test.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is B, Apnoea-hypopnoea index of 5 or more per hour with symptoms. Polysomnography is the gold standard, and an AHI of 5 or more with symptoms (or 15 or more regardless) diagnoses OSA.

Why is "Raised serum bicarbonate only" not the answer?

Bicarbonate suggests hypoventilation but does not diagnose OSA.

Why is "Reduced FEV1/FVC" not the answer?

FEV1/FVC reduction suggests obstructive airway disease.

Why is "Polycythaemia alone" not the answer?

Polycythaemia is a consequence, not a diagnostic test.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Respiratory medicine: obstructive sleep apnoea in General Medicine. CPAP is the treatment for moderate to severe disease. Weight reduction and avoiding alcohol and sedatives help.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Respiratory medicine: obstructive sleep apnoea?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.