Question

A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with sleep apnea. What should the nurse do in order to promote sleep in the client?

1) Avoid sedatives for sleeping.
2) Encourage the client to lose weight.
3) Encourage deep breathing exercises.
4) Provide good ventilation in the room.

Answer 1

To promote sleep in a client with sleep apnea, a nurse should avoid giving sedatives, encourage weight loss, ensure good room ventilation, and manage the condition with treatments like CPAP machines or lifestyle changes.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a client is diagnosed with sleep apnea, a nurse should take several steps to promote better sleep for the patient. It is important to avoid sedatives because they can relax the throat muscles and worsen obstructive sleep apnea. The nurse should also encourage weight loss if the client is overweight, as excess weight can contribute to the obstruction of the airway during sleep. While deep breathing exercises can promote relaxation, they are not specifically a treatment for sleep apnea. Providing good ventilation in the room may contribute to better sleep, but it does not directly address the underlying issues causing sleep apnea.

Treatments of sleep apnea often include lifestyle changes, the use of a CPAP machine, oral devices, and in some cases, surgery. The CPAP machine is a common and effective treatment that uses pressurized air to keep the airway open during sleep. Lifestyle changes such as avoiding alcohol, quitting smoking, changing sleep positions, and losing weight can significantly improve outcomes for sleep apnea patients. For those with central sleep apnea, supplemental oxygen during sleep may be necessary.