A patient complains of an inability to stare at his computer screen at work without a tendency to fall asleep. What can be done to screen the patient for sleep apnea?

Overnight pulse oximetry trending is a valuable method for screening a patient for sleep apnea. This test measures the oxygen saturation levels in the blood during sleep, providing data that can indicate whether the patient experiences episodes of hypoxemia, which are common in sleep apnea.

By using a pulse oximeter that is worn overnight, healthcare providers can track the patient's blood oxygen levels, identifying any significant drops that might suggest intermittent cessation of breathing during sleep. If these drops occur frequently, it raises the suspicion for obstructive sleep apnea, necessitating further evaluation or potentially more definitive testing.

The other methods mentioned, while useful for monitoring different aspects of sleep or cardiovascular function, do not specifically target the respiratory disturbances associated with sleep apnea in the same direct way. For instance, a nocturnal EEG might assess brain activity during sleep but would not provide relevant information on respiratory patterns or oxygenation. Holter monitoring tracks heart rhythms over time but does not evaluate breathing or oxygen levels. Polysomnography, although the gold standard for diagnosing sleep apnea, is a more comprehensive and intensive test that typically requires a sleep study in a lab setting, making it less practical as an initial screening tool compared to overnight pulse oximetry.