The wife of a client who is being seen in the sleep clinic states that her husband snores terribly at night and that she has to shake him to get him to stop. The client complains of a headache upon wakening and often falls asleep during the day when he sits for long periods. This client is exhibiting signs and symptoms characteristic of:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: sleep apnea. The client's symptoms of loud snoring, need to be shaken to stop snoring, morning headache, daytime sleepiness, and falling asleep during the day are all classic signs of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breathing during sleep, leading to poor sleep quality and daytime symptoms. Narcolepsy (choice A) involves excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden muscle weakness, which are not mentioned here. Parasomnia (choice B) refers to abnormal behaviors during sleep, such as sleepwalking or night terrors, which are not described in the scenario. Primary hypersomnia (choice D) is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness without a clear cause, which is not consistent with the client's symptoms.