Final answer:
The client at risk for obstructive sleep apnea is the one with obesity. Obesity can cause excess tissue in the neck to narrow the airway during sleep, leading to sleep apnea. Treatment options include lifestyle changes and the use of CPAP machines.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse should understand that the client with obesity is at risk for obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is a chronic disorder characterized by an obstruction of the airway during sleep, which can lead to a cessation of breathing. Obesity is a known risk factor for sleep apnea, as excess adipose tissue in the neck region can narrow the trachea by pushing the soft tissues towards the lumen of the airway. This condition can cause poor sleep quality and may lead to symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, memory problems, and morning headaches.
Treatment for sleep apnea may include lifestyle changes such as weight loss, avoidance of alcohol, smoking cessation, and using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine during sleep to keep the airway open. In central sleep apnea, breathing stops because the brain's respiratory centers do not respond to rising carbon dioxide levels, which is a different mechanism than that of obstructive sleep apnea.