Certified Polysomnographic Technician (CPSGT) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CPSGT Practice Questions and Study Guide

One characteristic of central sleep apnea is the lack of respiratory effort during apneic events. Unlike obstructive sleep apnea, where the airway is physically blocked leading to ineffective breathing efforts, central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send the appropriate signals to the muscles that control breathing. During these episodes, the individual does not make any attempt to breathe, which distinguishes it from other forms of sleep apnea.

Understanding this difference is crucial for diagnosing and treating sleep-related disorders effectively. The absence of respiratory effort is the defining feature that healthcare professionals look for when evaluating patients suspected of having central sleep apnea. This condition often requires different management strategies, such as adaptive servo-ventilation or bilevel positive airway pressure, which address the underlying lack of respiratory drive rather than an obstruction.