Nurse Support Can Help Identify Patients With Sleep Apnea, Improve Treatment Compliance

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Also Included In: Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia
Article Date: 07 Mar 2008 - 2:00 PST

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Gasping for breath in the middle of the night is a frightening experience and a familiar one for those suffering from sleep apnea. According to Debra Berry in the February 2008 issue of MEDSURG Nursing, the most common cause of apnea sufferers' breathing troubles is an obstructed airway.

The condition, known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is the most common form of sleep apnea and affects millions of Americans. In her article, Berry notes that 80%-90% of cases go undiagnosed, and she explores the risk factors and treatments, as well as the important role nurses play in caring for OSA patients.

According to Berry, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the primary treatment for OSA. Patients wear a mask that keeps their airway open by applying positive air pressure. The downside to this effective treatment, Berry says, is that patients often don't stick with it, complaining of nasal dryness, congestion, excessive noise from the mask and facial abrasions. Berry notes several randomized studies that indicate nursing support and intensive patient education improved CPAP compliance.

Berry recommends nurses become more knowledgeable of the symptoms and risk factors of OSA as they are in a unique position to identify patients with sleep apnea, educate them on OSA risks and provide support in establishing treatment. Taking these extra steps may help prevent adverse patient events.

"Case Study: Obstructive Sleep Apnea"
Debra Berry, MSN, APRN, ACNP-BC, CCNS, CCRN
MEDSURG Nursing - February 2008; http://www.medsurgnursing.net

MEDSURG Nursing, The Journal of Adult Health, is the official journal of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN). The journal provides its readers with the multidisciplinary information they need to provide clinically excellent patient care and to enhance their nursing practice. MEDSURG Nursing supports adult health/medical-surgical nurses as they strive for excellence in patient care, private practice, and outpatient health care settings in urban, suburban, and rural locations. Each peer-reviewed issue of MEDSURG Nursing features a comprehensive discussion and description of today's clinical issues in adult health/medical-surgical nursing. MEDSURG Nursing and AMSN are committed to the advancement of adult health/medical-surgical nursing practice. The journal is published six times a year.

http://www.medsurgnursing.net