Friday, July 23, 2010

Review for BRPT Exam

Last minute I signed into a two day review hosted at NECC in Haverhill, MA. I got to see a few former classmates as well as meet many new faces, some traveling from New Jersey and Maine.

This review coupled with finding a huge online resource, Binary Sleep, will really help me get over summer time mentality and back into studying.

Break time is over so I'll add some links and pictures later.


The review covered AASM scoring guidelines and preparing for the newly restructured exam offered by the B.R.P.T.  Respiratory therapists, Registered sleep technologists, recent graduates and former sleep tech's still in the sleep field received a binder full of information to study.  For two days, about thirteen hours of lecturing, we listened to three professors discuss topics such as; pediatrics, cardiac evaluations, safety, and sleep disorders at length.

At the end we were awarded a certificate and members of AAST gained CEC credits.  Sadly, I forgot to charge my camera so I was only able to take a few pictures today.  Almost as sad is that I am so sleep deprived I'm having difficulty stringing together coherent sentences so take a gander at the few pictures below and get studying!
Chris Rowse
Lunch Time
Full study binders 
Two of teachers
Worked super hard to keep our food and drinks flowing
More food!
John Murray, Forrest Broderick, & Christopher Rowse

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Testing Quiz One

Testing Quiz One
Hello, this is a test to see what it looks like...


  1. To be scored properly arousals must be _____ seconds apart
  2. 3 5 30 10
  3. The answer to this question is
  4. a b c d
  5. 2 + 2 =
  6. 5 8 4 1
  7. Type your question4 here.
  8. choice1 choice2- pick me choice3 choice4- pick me
  9. Type your question5 here.
  10. choice1- pick me choice2 choice3 choice4
  11. Type your question6 here.
  12. choice1 choice2 choice3- pick me choice4
  13. Type your question7 here.
  14. choice1- pick me choice2 choice3 choice4
  15. Type your question8 here.
  16. choice1- PICK ME choice2- PICK ME choice3 choice4
  17. Type your question9 here.
  18. choice1-PICK ME choice2 choice3 choice4
  19. Type your question10 here.
  20. choice1- PICK ME choice2 choice3 choice4
Let's see what it looks like... stay tuned for 10 question quizzes

Monday, May 17, 2010

Finals are over but studying isn't

Getting ready for our scoring final!

Well, the idea that I would post on the blog during my last semester didn’t really work so well.  Between work, clinical and studying I just couldn’t manage it.

Last week I took all five of my finals and this Saturday is graduation.  Just because school is over though doesn’t mean that the learning has stopped.  This Friday students from both the Hybrid and Day programs met with two of our teachers to take a review. 

We all are eligible to take the RPSTG exam, which is in the process of a price increase and big overhaul, and now we really need to hit the books.

I’ll be posting here to help keep my studying organized, I’m still trying to find a good plugin for quizzes (so geeky but I can’t wait) and hopefully by the end of the summer I can say I’m a registered tech.

My next goal is getting a job!

Friday, March 26, 2010

Applied to Graduate!

The deadline to submit the graduation application is days away so after my Bio Lab I meandered over to the offices at the Haverhill campus.  It was not as complicated as I expected and in no time at all I was back on the road which happily was snow and rain free.

Last night I had my weekly clinical at SleepHealth Center and during a bit of down time I tested my knowledge using the Principles of Polysomnography Manual with practice questions.  Eck!  I did really, really bad.  I'm not letting that get me down though.  It was at three AM and now I see what my weak areas are.  Plus, classes aren't done yet so hopefully it will help me to get a bit more organized.  Hey that is what this blog is for right!

Any ways, on a blogging note, Blogger in Draft has added a new (and SICK) template designer.  All those hacks I was so proud of doing to get my skinny sidebars and three column footer are superfluous.  But I'm going to keep it like it is for now and resist playing with the new feature (on this blog at least).

Now here is a serious question- did you go to your college graduation ceremony?

Friday, March 12, 2010

NECC hosted an informational open house for the truck driving program

Today as the Sleep Awareness Week winds down the Sleep Technology group over at NECC put together an informational Open House near the Haverhill Campus for the truck driving program today.  Scheduled from 12:30 to 3:30 two groups of truck driving students came in to hear sleep technology students discuss sleep medicine and how it would effect them in particular.  

Personally, I only made it in time for the second group.  The crowd was friendly and inquisitive, surprising since I expected them to nod off after stopping at a local Chinese restaurant for lunch first.  I attempted to take pictures but since I took them without a flash they are grainy but here are a few so you can get the idea.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Defined: L


Low amplitude, mixed frequency activity:
An EEG pattern consisting of low amplitude, predominantly 4-7 Hz activity.

Low chin EMG tone:
Baseline EMG activity in the chin derivation no higher than in any other sleep stage and usually at the lowest level of the entire recording.

Defined: H


Hypanagogic foot tremor:
Trains of EMG activity of the lower limb with a specified frequency,; not a defined disorder.

Hypopnea:
A specified reduction in airflow lasting at least 10 seconds in adults or the equivalent of 2 breaths in children.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

8 Signs it is time to pull over

Tips taken from Drowsy Driving
  • Heavy eyes, frequent blinking or difficulty focusing
  • Daydreaming, random thoughts
  • Gap driving, missing signs or exits
  • Excessive yawning or rubbing eyes
  • Nodding head
  • Drifting or hitting the rumble strip
  • Restless, irritable or slap happy
  • Erratic driving, tailgating
Even if some of these behaviors is how you normally drive-know your body and read its signs.

Define: G

Guideline:
A recommendation based on level 2 evidence or a consensus of level 3 evidence.


Define: E

Excessive fragmentary myoclonus:
Limb EMG activity of a specified frequency and duration often unassociated with visible movement; not a defined disorder.

Eye blinks:
EOG events consisting of conjugate vertical eye movements at a frequency of 0.5-2 Hz present in wakefulness with the eyes open or closed.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Sleep Awareness Week 2010: Post Roundup

This is the first year I'm doing this but there are scores of others who have been sharing information about sleep and Sleep Awareness Week in particular.  Here are a few posts from the week.  I'll add more as the week goes on.

Sleep Awareness Week on the Recently On Around and About blog.  It includes a podcast with Dr. Andrew Vernon, a sleep specialist in Chattanooga, TN.

Poll reveals sleep differences among ethnic groups from ScienceBlog discusses the Sleep in America poll that was released on March 8, 2010.

Sleep Disorder Symptoms for National Sleep Awareness Week at SleepEducation's blog.

National Sleep Awareness Week and Daylight Savings Time Arrive Together at Sleep Well and Live.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

30 second commerical for Sleep Awareness Week 2010

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Sleep Awareness Week is here! March 7-13, 2010

The National Sleep Awareness Week in the United States is hosted by the National Sleep Foundation.  Its purpose is to highlight the importance sleep factors into all of our lives.  It is no coincidence that Daylight Savings Time marks the end of this week, since sadly the risk for sleep related accidents increase around this time. 

Throughout the week I'll be adding videos, posts on sleep and sleep safety as well as pointing you towards other resources here online.

Events during Sleep Week
Sleep Health & Safety 2010: Convention in Washington, DC kicked off the week on March 5-6, 2010

Sleep Awareness Week Posts
Picture Credit: Amanda Truss on Flickr

Friday, March 5, 2010

EDS- What is it and why could it put your life in danger?

EDS, or excessive daytime sleepiness, is not fatigue, which can be likened to sluggishness, rather those with EDS find it a challenge to stay awake throughout the day and their everyday activities.  With less time spent on sleeping more and more are beginning to show signs of daytime sleepiness and are putting themselves and others at risk.


When the need to sleep begins to take over your day, it becomes hard to keep your eyes open, focus, even simple tasks may seen impossible to complete.  Regardless of what country you reside studies report the need or urge to sleep during the day is a global issue.  40% of Americans report having daytime sleepiness at least several days a month (1).

EDS increases the risk for accidents.  Recently, an incident where a commercial plane missed its scheduled stop is rumored to be caused by dozing pilots.  More serious accidents include work related ones such as 1989's Exxon Valdez oil spill where between 500,000 and 750,000 animals were killed immediately after the accident and automobile crashes.  With over 100,000 car accidents estimated per year, drowsy driving make excessive daytime sleepiness a community and not just an individual problem. 

EDS can be a symptom of underlying conditions.  Untreated sleep disorders have serious side effects and EDS is just one.  If you find it hard to stay awake during the day on a regular basis contact your doctor to be screened.

Here are a few examples of Sleepiness Scales
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale
The Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale

Check out this WedMd Quiz:
Sleep and Crazy Hours on the Job

Sources:

1. Fundamentals of Sleep Technology by Butkov & Lee-Chiong. 2007.


Thursday, March 4, 2010

Formulas: % of Stages

% of movement time
Minutes of MT / SPT (or TRT) x 100
Calculates minutes of movement time divided by sleep period time or total recording time and multiplying by 100 to get the total percentage.

% of Stage 1
Minutes of S1 / TST (or TRT or SPT) x 100
Calculates minutes in Stage 1 sleep by dividing by total sleep time or total recording time or sleep period time and multiplying by 100.

% of Stage 2
Minutes of S2 / TST (or TRT or SPT) x 100
Calculates minutes in Stage 2 sleep by dividing by total sleep time or total recording time or sleep period time and multiplying by 100.

% of Stage 3
Minutes of S3 / TST (or TRT or SPT) x 100
Calculates minutes in Stage 3 sleep by dividing by total sleep time or total recording time or sleep period time and multiplying by 100.

% of Stage REM
Minutes of REM / TST (or TRT or SPT) x 100
Calculates minutes in Stage REM sleep by dividing by total sleep time or total recording time or sleep period time and multiplying by 100.


Note:
These formulas are found in Fundamentals of Sleep Technology.  Check out the Formulas page for more.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Defined: D


Delta rhythm: An EEG rhythm consisting of 1-4 Hz activity.

Dominant posterior rhythm: An EEG pattern with frequency appropriate to age which is observed over the occipital regions during relaxed wakefulness with eyes closed and attenuates with eye opening or attention.

Dypnagogic hypersynchrony: An EEG pattern consisting of paroxysmal runs or bursts of diffuse high amplitude sinusoidal 75 to 350 u V 3-4.5 Hz waves which begin abruptly, are usually widely distributed but often maximal over the central, frontal, or frontocentral scalp regions.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Defined: C

Chheyne Strokes breathing: A breathing rhythm with a specified crescendo and decrescendo change in breathing amplitude.

Consensus: A specified agreement of appropriateness amongst a minimum of 7 individuals using RAND/UCLA methods.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Defined: B

Beta rhythm: An EEG rhythm consisting of 13-30 Hz activity.

Bradycardia: A sustained heart rate less than 40 beats per minute.

Bruxism: Grinding or clenching of the teeth during sleep that is often associated arousal.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Defined: A

Apnea:
An interruption of airflow lasting at least 10 seconds in adults or the equivalent of 2 breaths in children.

Alpha rhythm:
An EEG pattern consisting of trains of sinusoidal 8-13 Hz activity recorded over the occipital region with eye closure and attenuating with eye opening.

Asystole:
An interruption of cardiac rhythm lasting more than 3 seconds.

Atrial fibrillation:
An irregularly irregular ventricular rhythm associated with replacement of consistent P waves by rapid electrical oscillations.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Follow Along My Last Semester and Beyond!

Last summer when I threw myself rather recklessly into a 9 month certificate course in Polysomnography I thought, 'maybe I should start a blog'.

My saner self resisted, not only would I be in the middle of school and work but I was juggling two or so non-related blogs.  Now, with one semester left and my other blogs lucky if I visit on a weekly basis I'm starting this one!

I'll share research, links, what to expect and events that relate to sleep medicine.  Plus, I'll be asking many questions so don't hesitate to chime in!

Monday, February 1, 2010

Glossary

Terms you may find useful.  More added often.

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U V  W  X  Y  Z 

A

Apnea:
An interruption of airflow lasting at least 10 seconds in adults or the equivalent of 2 breaths in children.

Alpha rhythm:
An EEG pattern consisting of trains of sinusoidal 8-13 Hz activity recorded over the occipital region with eye closure and attenuating with eye opening.

Asystole:

An interruption of cardiac rhythm lasting more than 3 seconds.

Atrial fibrillation:
An irregularly irregular ventricular rhythm associated with replacement of consistent P waves by rapid electrical oscillations.

B

Beta rhythm:
An EEG rhythm consisting of 13-30 Hz activity.

Bradycardia:
A sustained heart rate less than 40 beats per minute.

Bruxism:
Grinding or clenching of the teeth during sleep that is often associated arousal.

C

Cheyne-Stokes breathing:
A breathing rhythm with a specified crescendo and decrescendo change in breathing amplitude.

Consensus:
A specified agreement of appropriateness amongst a minimum of 7 individuals using RAND/UCLA methods.

D

Delta rhythm:
An EEG rhythm consisting of 1-4 Hz activity.

Dominant posterior rhythm:
An EEG pattern with frequency appropriate to age which is observed over the occipital regions during relaxed wakefulness with eyes closed and attenuates with eye opening or attention.

Dypnagogic hypersynchrony:
An EEG pattern consisting of paroxysmal runs or bursts of diffuse high amplitude sinusoidal 75 to 350 u V 3-4.5 Hz waves which begin abruptly, are usually widely distributed but often maximal over the central, frontal, or frontocentral scalp regions.

E

Excessive fragmentary myoclonus:
Limb EMG activity of a specified frequency and duration often unassociated with visible movement; not a defined disorder.

Eye blinks:
EOG events consisting of conjugate vertical eye movements at a frequency of 0.5-2 Hz present in wakefulness with the eyes open or closed.

F

G

Guideline:
A recommendation based on level 2 evidence or a consensus of level 3 evidence.

H
Hypanagogic foot tremor:
Trains of EMG activity of the lower limb with a specified frequency,; not a defined disorder.

Hypopnea:
A specified reduction in airflow lasting at least 10 seconds in adults or the equivalent of 2 breaths in children.

I
J

K

K complex:
An EEG event consisting of a well delineated negative sharp wave immediately followed by a positive component standing out from the background EEG with total duration >0.5 seconds, usually maximal in amplitude over the frontal regions.

Low amplitude, mixed frequency activity:
An EEG pattern consisting of low amplitude, predominantly 4-7 Hz activity.

Low chin EMG tone: Baseline EMG activity in the chin derivation no higher than in any other sleep stage and usually at the lowest level of the entire recording.

L

Formulas

Looking for a formula to determine your patient's AHI?  Or want to figure out Total Sleep Time?  Over the next few weeks I'll be added these and many more formulas to the site and then compiling them all here.  These formulas are found in Fundamentals of Sleep Technology.


% of movement time
Minutes of MT / SPT (or TRT) x 100
Calculates minutes of movement time divided by sleep period time or total recording time and multiplying by 100 to get the total percentage.

% of Stage 1
Minutes of S1 / TST (or TRT or SPT) x 100
Calculates minutes in Stage 1 sleep by dividing by total sleep time or total recording time or sleep period time and multiplying by 100.

% of Stage 2
Minutes of S2 / TST (or TRT or SPT) x 100
Calculates minutes in Stage 2 sleep by dividing by total sleep time or total recording time or sleep period time and multiplying by 100.

% of Stage 3
Minutes of S3 / TST (or TRT or SPT) x 100
Calculates minutes in Stage 3 sleep by dividing by total sleep time or total recording time or sleep period time and multiplying by 100.

% of Stage REM
Minutes of REM / TST (or TRT or SPT) x 100
Calculates minutes in Stage REM sleep by dividing by total sleep time or total recording time or sleep period time and multiplying by 100.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

DISCLOSURES


Ftc DISCLOSUREThis blog uses my Amazon affiliate account,  in the form of text and image links. It has Google Ad's as well.  If you click on either I may get a small commission. If I do reviews on schools, books or other retail merchandise I will not let the fact whether they are on free materials or not effect the honesty of my reviews.


Comments
I look forward to your thoughts and input but spam will be deleted (unless it is very amusing).  Disagree or debate but please be respectful in your comments otherwise they'll be gone.  


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Health Disclaimer
This site is educational and not meant to offer you medical advice.  If you feel you may suffer from a sleep disorder please see your doctor.

Educational Disclaimer
This is a blog is part of my learning experience and I do make mistakes so if you're in school and working on a paper, do your research!  

Copyright
I like sharing but please make sure you link back to any post you quote, paraphrase or otherwise use.