A client is seeking information about the potential effects of sleep deprivation on physical health. Which of the following statements reflects a possible consequence of sleep deprivation on metabolic function?

Choice A rationale:

Hypersomnolence refers to excessive daytime sleepiness and an increased need for sleep. It is not characterized by abnormal movements of the limbs or body during sleep. Hypersomnolence can be a symptom of various sleep disorders but is not directly related to the condition described.

Choice B rationale:

Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) involves repetitive and involuntary movements of the legs and sometimes the arms during sleep. These movements are distinct from the abnormal movements described in the question. PLMD can cause sleep disturbances and daytime fatigue but is not the disorder characterized by stereotyped movements during sleep.

Choice C rationale:

Sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder (SRMD) is characterized by repetitive or stereotyped movements during sleep or while falling asleep. These movements can include head banging, body rocking, or rolling. SRMD is often seen in children and tends to decrease with age. It is a parasomnia, which is a category of sleep disorders involving unusual behaviors during sleep.

Choice D rationale:

Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder involves disruptions in the sleep-wake cycle due to misalignments between a person's internal body clock and external cues like light and darkness. It is not characterized by abnormal movements of the limbs or body during sleep. Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder can lead to difficulties falling asleep or staying awake at appropriate times but is distinct from the disorder described.

Choice A rationale:

Actigraphy is a method that involves wearing a wrist-worn device that monitors movement and light exposure to infer sleep patterns and circadian rhythms. It's often used in sleep research and can provide long-term data, but it doesn't directly measure physiological parameters like brain waves, eye movements, and heart rate. Therefore, it's not the correct choice for this scenario.

Choice B rationale:

The Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) is used to assess a person's ability to stay awake during a quiet, daytime environment. It's typically used to evaluate excessive daytime sleepiness, especially in individuals with conditions like narcolepsy. This test doesn't involve monitoring physiological parameters during sleep and is performed while the person is awake, so it's not the correct choice.

Choice C rationale:

Polysomnography (PSG) is the correct choice. PSG is a comprehensive sleep study that involves monitoring various physiological parameters during sleep, including brain waves (electroencephalogram, EEG), eye movements (electrooculogram, EOG), muscle activity (electromyogram, EMG), and heart rate (electrocardiogram, ECG). This test is commonly used to diagnose sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, insomnia, and parasomnias.

Choice D rationale:

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is a self-report questionnaire used to assess an individual's likelihood of falling asleep in various situations. It's a subjective measure of daytime sleepiness and doesn't involve monitoring physiological parameters during sleep, so it's not the correct choice.