The client with sleep apnea asks her nurse how her new prescription for Xyrem (sodium oxybate) can help this problem. What is the nurse's best response?

Question

A. "The drug depresses your nervous system and allows you to have a deeper night's sleep."
B. "Xyrem stimulates daytime wakefulness so that you are less likely to have narco-lepsy with your sleep apnea."
C. "The drug reduces the water content of your oral mucous membranes, increasing the diameter of your throat so that your tongue does not obstruct your airway."
D. "Xyrem constantly elevates the carbon dioxide content of your blood, which then triggers the respiratory centers of the brain so that you breathe more rapidly and more deeply."

Answer 1

A
One problem with sleep apnea is that clients get so little restful sleep at night that they develop excessive daytime sleepiness (narcolepsy), often falling asleep while at work, driving, or per-forming other tasks. Xyrem does not help the apnea but does promote a deeper sleep, so that the client is less likely to fall asleep at inappropriate places or times during the day.