Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder affecting 18 million Americans.
The prevalence of OSA is increasing due to an epidemic rise in obesity, which is a
major contributing factor. The primary treatment for OSA is continuous positive airway
pressure, designed to maintain a patent airway for unobstructed breathing. OSA patients
may experience postoperative hypoventilation due to residual anesthetic, analgesic
requirements, and other comorbidities. Postoperative health care providers must be
prepared to assess for hypoventilation and intervene using evidence-based interventions
to improve outcomes. It is incumbent that the PACU nurse be aware of and implement
evidence-based clinical guidelines for patients with OSA. Therefore, the purpose of
this manuscript is to (1) describe the physiology, comorbidities, diagnosis, and treatment
of OSA; (2) identify the effects of anesthesia in persons with OSA; (3) discuss clinical
guidelines; and (4) describe implications for care in an effort to improve health
outcomes in persons with OSA during the perianesthesia period.
Keywords
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Biography
Pamela D. Diffee, DNP, CRNA, is a doctoral student at the Capstone College of Nursing, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL.
Biography
Michelle M. Beach, DNP, CRNA, is a doctoral student at the Capstone College of Nursing, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL.
Biography
Norma G. Cuellar, DSN, RN, FAAN, is a Professor of Nursing at Capstone College of Nursing, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL.
Article info
Footnotes
Conflict of interest: None to report.
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
