Final answer:
The nurse would recommend using a CPAP machine, avoiding sleeping on the back, losing weight if overweight, avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bedtime, and elevating the head of the bed to a patient with obstructive sleep apnea.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse would make the following recommendations to a patient with obstructive sleep apnea:
- Use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine during sleep to keep the airway open.
- Avoid sleeping on your back as this can increase the risk of airway obstruction.
- Lose weight if overweight as excess weight can contribute to the obstruction of the airway.
- Avoid alcohol and sedatives before bedtime as these substances can relax the muscles of the airway and worsen sleep apnea.
- Elevate the head of the bed to help prevent airway collapse.