A client shares with the nurse that "My wife complains about my snoring, and I never really feel rested." Which of the following responses best attempts to explain the cause of the problem to the client?

Question

1. "Sleep disturbances can really affect all aspects of your life. How long have you been experiencing this problem?"
2. "You need to get help to breathe more effortlessly at night so both you and your wife can get sufficient deep stage sleep."
3. "Something is interfering with your ability to breathe while you are asleep. Have you talked with your health care provider about the problem?"
4. "Your upper airway is blocked, and that is making it difficult for you to breathe effectively, so you are spending most of the night in the light sleep stage."

Answer 1

ANS: 4
The upper airway becomes partially or completely blocked, and diminished nasal airflow (hy-popnea) can result for as long as 30 seconds. The person attempts to breathe, which often results in loud snoring and snorting sounds. The effort to breathe during sleep results in arousals from deep sleep, often to the stage 2 cycle, causing interference with deep sleep and thus the client's not feeling rested. The remaining options are not inappropriate, but they are not as directed at explaining the problem to the client.