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 and skeletal-muscle atonia?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. REM sleep

REM sleep features rapid eye movements, vivid dreaming, variable autonomic activity, and inhibitory skeletal-muscle atonia except for eye and respiratory muscles.

Option by option

  • A. N1 sleep

    N1 is light transitional sleep.

  • B. N2 sleep

    N2 has sleep spindles and K complexes.

  • C. N3 slow-wave sleep

    N3 is deep slow-wave sleep.

  • D. REM sleep (correct)

    Correct: REM combines dreaming with atonia.

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 D, REM sleep. REM sleep features rapid eye movements, vivid dreaming, variable autonomic activity, and inhibitory skeletal-muscle atonia except for eye and respiratory muscles.

Why is "N1 sleep" not the answer?

N1 is light transitional sleep.

Why is "N2 sleep" not the answer?

N2 has sleep spindles and K complexes.

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

N3 is deep slow-wave sleep.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Sleep physiology in Physiology. The correct option holds because: Correct: REM combines dreaming with atonia.

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.