Which term refers to a sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing and repeated awakenings?

• A. REM sleep
• B. Somnambulism
• C. Sleep apnea
• D. Detoxification

Answer: (C)

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder defined by pauses in breathing during sleep. These temporary cessations, called apneas, disrupt the ongoing sleep by lowering oxygen levels and triggering brief arousals so breathing can restart. The repeated awakenings fragment sleep and lead to daytime symptoms like fatigue, sleepiness, and difficulty concentrating. The other options don’t describe this pattern: REM sleep is a normal sleep stage characterized by rapid eye movements, not a disorder; somnambulism is sleepwalking; detoxification is the process of removing toxins, not related to a sleep-disorder pattern. Therefore, the term that fits is sleep apnea.