Growth and development: night terrors: practice question

A Pediatrics 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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Pediatrics · Growth and development: night terrors

Sample item

A 4-year-old screams, sits up with wide eyes, sweats and has a fast pulse about an hour after falling asleep. He cannot be consoled, does not recognise his parents and has no memory of it the next morning. During which sleep stage does this occur?

AREM sleepBDrowsy wakefulness before sleep onsetCNon-REM stage 1 light sleepDNon-REM slow-wave sleep

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Non-REM slow-wave sleep

Night terrors are arousal disorders of deep non-REM slow-wave sleep, occurring early in the night, with autonomic discharge and amnesia for the event. Nightmares come from REM sleep later in the night, and the child can recall them. Reassurance and safe surroundings are enough in most children.

Option by option

A. REM sleep
REM sleep produces nightmares, which are remembered and occur in the later part of the night.
B. Drowsy wakefulness before sleep onset
The hypnagogic state gives brief vivid imagery, not a prolonged unrousable episode.
C. Non-REM stage 1 light sleep
Stage 1 sleep is a brief transitional stage and does not give this complete amnesia.
D. Non-REM slow-wave sleep (correct)
Correct. Night terrors arise from partial arousal out of slow-wave sleep early in the night.

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.

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is D, Non-REM slow-wave sleep. Night terrors are arousal disorders of deep non-REM slow-wave sleep, occurring early in the night, with autonomic discharge and amnesia for the event.

Why is "REM sleep" not the answer?

REM sleep produces nightmares, which are remembered and occur in the later part of the night.

Why is "Drowsy wakefulness before sleep onset" not the answer?

The hypnagogic state gives brief vivid imagery, not a prolonged unrousable episode.

Why is "Non-REM stage 1 light sleep" not the answer?

Stage 1 sleep is a brief transitional stage and does not give this complete amnesia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Growth and development: night terrors in Pediatrics. Nightmares come from REM sleep later in the night, and the child can recall them. Reassurance and safe surroundings are enough in most children.

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 Growth and development: night terrors?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics 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.