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 associated with vivid dreaming, skeletal-muscle atonia, and variable autonomic activity?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. REM sleep

REM sleep features rapid eye movements, vivid dreams, cortical activation, and generalized skeletal-muscle atonia except for respiratory and ocular muscles. Autonomic activity is variable.

Option by option

  • A. Wakefulness

    Wakefulness lacks the characteristic REM atonia.

  • B. N3 slow-wave sleep

    N3 is deep slow-wave sleep with high-amplitude delta waves.

  • C. REM sleep (correct)

    Correct. REM combines dreaming with physiologic muscle atonia.

  • D. N2 sleep only

    N2 contains sleep spindles and K complexes.

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 C, REM sleep. REM sleep features rapid eye movements, vivid dreams, cortical activation, and generalized skeletal-muscle atonia except for respiratory and ocular muscles.

Why is "Wakefulness" not the answer?

Wakefulness lacks the characteristic REM atonia.

Why is "N3 slow-wave sleep" not the answer?

N3 is deep slow-wave sleep with high-amplitude delta waves.

Why is "N2 sleep only" not the answer?

N2 contains sleep spindles and K complexes.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Sleep physiology in Physiology. Autonomic activity is variable.

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.