What would a technologist expect to observe in a patient with a REM disorder during a repeat sleep study?

In a patient with a REM disorder, such as REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), it is expected that there would be a decreased REM latency during a repeat sleep study. REM latency refers to the amount of time it takes for a person to enter REM sleep after falling asleep. Individuals with REM disorders may enter REM sleep more quickly than typical, as their sleep architecture is altered due to the disorder. This rapid entry can be associated with the presence of atypical behavior during REM sleep, such as acting out dreams, which is characteristic of RBD.

In contrast, options that suggest increased NREM sleep, lack of sleep spindles, or prolonged wakefulness do not specifically pertain to the changes typically observed in REM sleep disorders. Instead, the focus remains on the decreased latency to REM sleep, making it a key indicator of such conditions during polysomnographic evaluation.