Certified Polysomnographic Technician (CPSGT) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

REM behavior disorder (RBD) is primarily characterized by a lack of atonia, which is the normal paralysis of the body's muscles that occurs during the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep. This atonia is essential because it prevents individuals from acting out their dreams. In RBD, this protective muscle paralysis is absent, leading individuals to physically act out their dreams, which can result in potentially harmful behaviors.

This condition often manifests as movements such as talking, shouting, kicking, or even jumping out of bed, all while the person is asleep. The presence of these actions during REM sleep indicates a significant disruption of the typical sleep architecture associated with this stage.

The other choices represent different conditions or symptoms but do not correctly characterize the unique features of REM behavior disorder. Thus, the defining characteristic of RBD is indeed the lack of atonia during REM sleep.