Final answer:
Stroke, congestive heart failure, and the use of drugs like morphine can precipitate apneic episodes by impairing the brain's ability to regulate breathing during sleep.
Step-by-step explanation:
Conditions that can precipitate apneic episodes include stroke, congestive heart failure, and the use of pharmacologic agents such as morphine. These ailments can damage the brain's respiratory centers or otherwise impair respiratory functions leading to central sleep apnea, where the brain fails to regulate breathing patterns effectively during sleep.
Specifically, stroke and congestive heart failure may harm the pons or medulla oblongata, critical areas for respiratory control. Furthermore, drugs like morphine can depress the respiratory rate, contributing to apnea. The dangers of sleep apnea are notable, including severe consequences such as stroke, heart failure, and in infants, an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SID).