A nurse is caring for a client who thinks they have narcolepsy. Which of the following questions should the nurse ask?
Explanation & Rationale
A. "How often do you have trouble sleeping?": While this question might help assess general sleep issues, it doesn’t specifically address narcolepsy symptoms. Narcolepsy is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and episodes of sudden muscle weakness. B. "Do you snore loudly?": Loud snoring is more commonly associated with sleep apnea rather than narcolepsy. Although both conditions can affect sleep quality, this question doesn’t directly relate to the hallmark symptoms of narcolepsy. C. "Do you ever suddenly lose muscle control?": Sudden loss of muscle control, or cataplexy, is a key symptom of narcolepsy. Cataplexy occurs when a person experiences sudden muscle weakness or paralysis in response to strong emotions, such as laughter or surprise. D. "Do you wake up with headaches?": Waking up with headaches could be related to sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or tension headaches, but it is not a defining feature of narcolepsy. The nurse should focus on symptoms directly related to narcolepsy.