I wonder if vividly picturing a cavalcade of ultraviolent mental images is enough to disrupt the test.

Unfortunately, disrupting the test is the same as failing it. Typically, subjects are expected to pass it to avoid negative consequences.

I once went through a polygraph and used my meditative breathing techniques to calm my mind, and failed the test because I was "controlling my breath".

I mostly belly breathe and have little upper chest expansion at rest. This caused some consternation during my test.