Based on A.J.’s symptoms and the data provided, what do you suspect is the problem? What other assessment data would you want to obtain? What are A.J.’s risk factors for OSA? What are other risk factors for OSA?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Patient Profile A.J. is a 56-year-old man who goes to see the health care provider for chronic fatigue. He has a history of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and depression.

Subjective Data

States he is sleepy all of the time

Goes to bed at 10:00 P.M. and gets up at 7:00 A.M. but is tired when he gets up and never feels rested

Wife states he snores loudly

States he has frequent headaches, which are worse in the morning when he wakes up

Admits drinking “2-3” alcoholic beverages each evening

Objective Data Physical Assessment

Temperature 98.4° F, pulse 88, respirations 18, blood pressure 146/86

Oxygen saturation 97% on room air

Height 5’8″, weight 210 lb, BMI 32 kg/m’ Diagnostic Studies

Hemoglobin AlC 8.8%

Hct 47%

Hgb 17 g/dL

Discussion Questions

1. Based on A.J.’s symptoms and the data provided, what do you suspect is the problem?
2. What other assessment data would you want to obtain?
3. What are A.J.’s risk factors for OSA? What are other risk factors for OSA?
4. A.J. asks how a diagnosis of OSA would be made. How would you respond?
5. What complications can result from untreated OSA?
6. How does a CPAP machine work? What is an alternative device that may be useful for those who cannot tolerate a CPAP machine?
7. What are some conservative OSA treatment interventions that you can teach A.J.?
8. What lifestyle modifications would A.J. want to make to treat his OSA? Select all that apply.