Sleep physiology: practice question

A Physiology 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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Physiology · Sleep physiology

Sample item

Which sleep stage is most associated with vivid dreaming and skeletal-muscle atonia?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. REM sleep

REM sleep has rapid eye movements, vivid dreaming, variable autonomic activity and near-complete skeletal-muscle atonia. N3 slow-wave sleep is associated with parasomnias such as sleepwalking.

Option by option

  • A. N3 sleep

    N3 is deep slow-wave sleep rather than the main dreaming/atonia stage.

  • B. REM sleep (correct)

    Correct. REM combines dreaming with physiologic muscle atonia.

  • C. N2 sleep

    N2 contains sleep spindles and K complexes.

  • D. N1 sleep

    N1 is light transitional sleep.

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 Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is B, REM sleep. REM sleep has rapid eye movements, vivid dreaming, variable autonomic activity and near-complete skeletal-muscle atonia.

Why is "N3 sleep" not the answer?

N3 is deep slow-wave sleep rather than the main dreaming/atonia stage.

Why is "N2 sleep" not the answer?

N2 contains sleep spindles and K complexes.

Why is "N1 sleep" not the answer?

N1 is light transitional sleep.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Sleep physiology in Physiology. N3 slow-wave sleep is associated with parasomnias such as sleepwalking.

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 Sleep physiology?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology 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.