CCRN Obstructive Sleep Apnea
CCRN Obstructive Sleep Apnea Overview
Obstructive sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder. It causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep.
There are several types of sleep apnea, but the most common is obstructive sleep apnea. This type of apnea occurs when your throat muscles intermittently relax and block your airway during sleep. A noticeable sign of obstructive sleep apnea is snoring.
Treatments for obstructive sleep apnea are available. One treatment involves using a device that uses positive pressure to keep your airway open while you sleep. Another option is a mouthpiece to thrust your lower jaw forward during sleep. In some cases, surgery may be an option too.
Signs and Symptoms
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Loud snoring
- Observed episodes of stopped breathing during sleep
- Abrupt awakenings accompanied by gasping or choking
- Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Morning headache
- Difficulty concentrating during the day
- Experiencing mood changes, such as depression or irritability
- High blood pressure
- Nighttime sweating
- Decreased libido
Causes
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much to allow normal breathing. These muscles support structures including the back of the roof of your mouth (soft palate), the triangular piece of tissue hanging from the soft palate (uvula), the tonsils and the tongue.
When the muscles relax, your airway narrows or closes as you breathe in and breathing may be inadequate for 10 seconds or longer. This may lower the level of oxygen in your blood and cause a buildup of carbon dioxide.
Your brain senses this impaired breathing and briefly rouses you from sleep so that you can reopen your airway. This awakening is usually so brief that you don’t remember it.
You can awaken with shortness of breath that corrects itself quickly, within one or two deep breaths. You may make a snorting, choking or gasping sound.
This pattern can repeat itself five to 30 times or more each hour, all night long. These disruptions impair your ability to reach the desired deep, restful phases of sleep, and you’ll probably feel sleepy during your waking hours.
People with obstructive sleep apnea may not be aware that their sleep was interrupted. In fact, many people with this type of sleep apnea think they slept well all night.
Risk Factors
- Excess weight
- HTN
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Family History
- Asthma
Complications
- Daytime fatigue
- Cardiac problems
- Eye problems
Treatments
Polysomnography
- During this sleep study, you’re hooked up to equipment that monitors your heart, lung and brain activity, breathing patterns, arm and leg movements, and blood oxygen levels while you sleep.
Home sleep apnea testing
- Under certain circumstances, your doctor may provide you with an at-home version of polysomnography to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea. This test usually involves measurement of airflow, breathing patterns and blood oxygen levels, and possibly limb movements and snoring intensity.
Critical Care Courses
Overview
- Elite Reviews Offers A Variety Of Online Courses That Will More Than Adequately Help Prepare The Critical Care Nurse To Pass The National Exam.
- Each Course Includes Continuing Education Credit and Sample Questions.
Continuing Education
- Each Of Our Online Courses Has Been Approved Continuing Education Contact Hours by the California Board of Nursing
- Login To Your Account In Order To Access The Course Completion Certificate Once The Course Is Complete.
CCRN Free Trial
- FREE Sample Lecture & Prep Questions
- Available For 24 Hrs After Registration
- Click Free Trial Link To Get Started – CCRN Free Trial
How It Works
How It Works
- First – Purchase The Course By Clicking On The Blue Add To Cart Button – You Will Then Be Prompted To Create A User Account.
- Second – After Creating An Account, All 3 Options (90, 120 or 150 Days) Will Be Listed. Select The Option You Desire And Delete The Other Two.
- Third – You Will Be Prompted To Pay For The Review Using PayPal – After Payment You Will Be Redirected Back To Your Account.
- Last – Click The Start Button Located Within Your Account To Begin The Program
- 150 Sample Questions
- Q & A With Rationales
- Approved For 5 CEU’s
- 90 Days Availability
- Cost $75.00
- 1250+ Sample Questions
- Q & A With Rationales
- Approved For 25 CEU’s
- 90 Days Availability
- Cost $200.00
CCRN Practice Questions Bundle
- 1350+ Sample Questions
- Q & A With Rationales
- Approved For 30 CEU’s
- 90 Days Availability
- Cost $225.00
CCRN Review Course
- Option 1
- Lectures & 1250+ Questions
- Approved For 35 CEU’s
- 90 Days Availability
- Cost $325.00
- Option 2
- Lectures & 2000+ Questions
- Approved For 40 CEU’s
- 90 Days Availability
- Cost $350.00
CCRN Review Course Bundle
- Option 3
- Lectures & 3000+ Questions
- Approved For 70 CEU’s
- 90 Days Availability
- Cost $375.00