A nurse is collecting data on a client who has obstructive sleep apnea. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
Explanation & Rationale
A. Headache: Morning headaches are a common finding in obstructive sleep apnea due to intermittent hypoxia and hypercapnia during sleep. The lack of oxygen and poor sleep quality can lead to vasodilation in cerebral vessels, triggering headaches upon waking. B. Hypotension: Obstructive sleep apnea is more commonly associated with hypertension rather than hypotension. Repeated hypoxic episodes stimulate sympathetic activity, increasing blood pressure over time. C. Nausea: Nausea is not typically related to obstructive sleep apnea. It may occur in other conditions affecting the gastrointestinal system but is not a hallmark symptom of sleep-disordered breathing. D. Constipation: Constipation is not a characteristic finding in obstructive sleep apnea. It is unrelated to the pathophysiology of airway obstruction and intermittent hypoxia during sleep.