A friend of the nurse expresses concern that her husband might have narcolepsy. Which behavior would indicate to the nurse that he needs further workup by his health care provider?

Question

1. The husband falls asleep as soon as he lies down at night.
2. The husband sometimes nods off and has difficulty staying alert at home Bible study gatherings.
3. The husband has difficulty staying awake about 1–2 hours after having lunch each day.
4. The husband puts his car in park every time he comes to a stoplight, because he often falls asleep for several minutes while waiting for the light to turn green.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: If the husband has a physically or emotionally draining job, it would not be unusual for him to fall asleep as soon as he lies down.
Rationale 2: Sleep apnea could contribute to symptoms of sleepiness during quiet activities. This is not one of the symptoms of narcolepsy.
Rationale 3: It is not unusual to get sleepy after eating a lunch heavy in fats and carbohydrates. This is not one of the four symptoms of narcolepsy.
Rationale 4: Sleep attacks are a symptom of narcolepsy. They are sudden bouts of sleep that can last 10–30 minutes that occur during the daytime without warning.
Global Rationale: Sleep attacks are a symptom of narcolepsy. They are sudden bouts of sleep that can last 10–30 minutes that occur during the daytime without warning. If the husband has a physically or emotionally draining job, it would not be unusual for him to fall asleep as soon as he lies down. Sleep apnea could contribute to symptoms of sleepiness during quiet activities. This is not one of the symptoms of narcolepsy. It is not unusual to get sleepy after eating a lunch heavy in fats and carbohydrates. This is not one of the four symptoms of narcolepsy.