Decreasing surgical risks for patients with obstructive sleep apnea

The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has only recently been appreciated, in part because the signs and symptoms of OSA were previously overlooked. The identification of this disorder is extremely important before surgery to allow appropriate airway management. This article presents a brief overview of sleep apnea, its symptoms, and potential consequences. Nursing interventions are given for the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases. A resource list of agencies and internet sites that reference OSA is included for additional information.