Certified Polysomnographic Technician (CPSGT) Practice Exam 2026 - Free CPSGT Practice Questions and Study Guide

The Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) is significant because it provides a quantifiable measure of the severity of sleep apnea by calculating the number of apneas (complete cessation of airflow) and hypopneas (partial cessation of airflow) that occur per hour of sleep. This index plays a crucial role in diagnosing sleep apnea and determining the appropriate treatment, as a higher AHI indicates a more severe form of the disorder. Clinicians use the AHI to evaluate the impact of sleep apnea on a patient’s health, particularly regarding potential risks associated with untreated sleep apnea, such as cardiovascular disease, daytime sleepiness, and overall quality of life.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately capture what the AHI measures. While effectiveness of sleep medications can be evaluated through various means, it is not directly related to the AHI. Similarly, assessing sleep quality based on EEG readings involves a different set of measurements not captured by the AHI. Lastly, tracking heart rate variability during sleep is a different physiological parameter and does not relate specifically to the definitions of apneas and hypopneas that the AHI encompasses. Thus, the correct answer highlights the primary function of AHI in the context of sleep medicine.