To ensure REM sleep has a chance to occur during a multiple sleep latency test nap, how long should the nap continue?

To ensure REM sleep has a chance to occur during a multiple sleep latency test nap, how long should the nap continue?

• A. 25 minutes following "lights out"
• B. 15 minutes following sleep onset
• C. 15 minutes following "lights out"
• D. 20 minutes following sleep onset

Answer: (B)

REM sleep cannot begin until after sleep onset, so a nap must provide enough time once sleep starts for a REM period to occur. In the MSLT, the nap is structured so that, once sleep is achieved, there is about 15 minutes of sleep opportunity left. This allows REM to begin and be observed within the nap window, even if sleep onset happens a few minutes after lights out. If the nap were tied strictly to a fixed time from lights out, sleep onset that is delayed would shorten the actual sleep time available for REM, increasing the chance of missing a REM episode. So the best approach is to ensure the nap lasts long enough after sleep onset—about 15 minutes—to give REM a realistic chance to occur.

REM sleep cannot begin until after sleep onset, so a nap must provide enough time once sleep starts for a REM period to occur. In the MSLT, the nap is structured so that, once sleep is achieved, there is about 15 minutes of sleep opportunity left. This allows REM to begin and be observed within the nap window, even if sleep onset happens a few minutes after lights out. If the nap were tied strictly to a fixed time from lights out, sleep onset that is delayed would shorten the actual sleep time available for REM, increasing the chance of missing a REM episode. So the best approach is to ensure the nap lasts long enough after sleep onset—about 15 minutes—to give REM a realistic chance to occur.