Why should the patient with obstructive sleep apnea not use alcohol?
a. Alcohol decreases the arousal threshold.
b. Alcohol increases upper airway muscle tone.
c. Alcohol increases the arousal threshold.
d. Alcohol reduces the cardiovascular com-pensatory mechanisms.
ANS: A
Alcohol decreases the arousal threshold and as a result can increase the duration of apnea. Alco-hol also reduces upper airway muscle tone, causing the airway to be more compliant and thus more prone to complete or partial closure.
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