Certified Polysomnographic Technician (CPSGT) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Sleep apnea is primarily characterized by interruptions in breathing during sleep, which can lead to fragmented sleep patterns and significant disruption to the overall sleep architecture. One of the most common and noticeable effects of this disorder is excessive daytime sleepiness, which occurs due to the lack of restorative sleep. When individuals experience sleep apnea, they may frequently awaken throughout the night, contributing to feelings of fatigue and drowsiness during waking hours.

This excessive daytime sleepiness can impact cognitive function, alertness, and overall quality of life. While other options like increased heart rate can occur in conjunction with sleep apnea, they are not as directly linked to the hallmark symptoms of the disorder. Frequent nightmares and sleepwalking, meanwhile, are more associated with different sleep disorders rather than sleep apnea itself. The primary impact of sleep apnea is significant daytime sleepiness due to the poor quality of sleep experienced at night.