What clinical signs are characteristic of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)?

• A. Narrowing of eyelids
• B. Frequent nightmares
• C. Loud snoring, witnessed apneas, and excessive daytime sleepiness
• D. Insomnia and restlessness

Answer: (C)

Obstructive sleep apnea shows up in the signs that reflect repeated airway collapse during sleep. The most telling clues are loud snoring from the airway vibrations, witnessed apneas where someone notices the person stopping breathing, and excessive daytime sleepiness due to disrupted, nonrestorative sleep. Together, these point to recurrent nocturnal breathing obstruction and its daytime consequence, which is the hallmark of OSA.

Narrowing of the eyelids isn’t related to this sleep disorder. Frequent nightmares aren’t characteristic of OSA and point more toward other sleep or psychiatric conditions. Insomnia and restlessness can occur with various sleep problems but don’t define the typical picture of OSA, which centers on nighttime breathing disturbances and their daytime impact.