Eating and sleep disorders: slow-wave sleep in ageing: practice question

A Psychiatry 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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Psychiatry · Eating and sleep disorders: slow-wave sleep in ageing

Sample item

A 72-year-old man complains that his sleep is light and fragmented, with frequent awakenings, though he spends enough time in bed. Which change in sleep architecture with normal ageing best explains this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Reduced slow-wave (N3) sleep with more awakenings

With age, slow-wave sleep falls and may nearly disappear, while awakenings, light sleep and early waking increase. Total REM sleep is relatively preserved until later years, so normal ageing alone is not an indication for hypnotics.

Option by option

  • A. Markedly increased REM sleep

    REM sleep is relatively preserved, not markedly increased.

  • B. Complete loss of REM sleep

    REM sleep persists in normal ageing.

  • C. Reduced slow-wave (N3) sleep with more awakenings (correct)

    Correct. Reduced deep sleep and more fragmentation characterise ageing.

  • D. Increased slow-wave sleep

    Slow-wave sleep decreases with age, not increases.

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 Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is C, Reduced slow-wave (N3) sleep with more awakenings. With age, slow-wave sleep falls and may nearly disappear, while awakenings, light sleep and early waking increase.

Why is "Markedly increased REM sleep" not the answer?

REM sleep is relatively preserved, not markedly increased.

Why is "Complete loss of REM sleep" not the answer?

REM sleep persists in normal ageing.

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

Slow-wave sleep decreases with age, not increases.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Eating and sleep disorders: slow-wave sleep in ageing in Psychiatry. Total REM sleep is relatively preserved until later years, so normal ageing alone is not an indication for hypnotics.

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 Eating and sleep disorders: slow-wave sleep in ageing?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry 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.