A nurse is discussing the possible effects of sleep deprivation with a patient. Which of the following statements accurately represents a potential impact on immune function?

Choice A rationale:

Sleep deprivation can indeed lead to infertility, making this statement accurate. Chronic sleep deprivation can disrupt hormonal balance, including the production of reproductive hormones such as luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). These hormones play a vital role in the menstrual cycle and fertility. Additionally, sleep deprivation can affect the body's stress response, leading to increased levels of cortisol, which can further impact fertility.

Choice B rationale:

"Sleep deprivation has no effect on libido" is an incorrect statement. Sleep deprivation can negatively affect libido or sexual desire. Hormonal imbalances caused by inadequate sleep can lead to decreased sexual interest and diminished sexual function.

Choice C rationale:

"Sleep deprivation can enhance testosterone production" is an incorrect statement. Sleep deprivation is associated with decreased testosterone levels. Testosterone, a key hormone for both men and women, is primarily produced during deep sleep. Sleep deprivation disrupts the body's hormonal balance, leading to lower testosterone levels, which can impact sexual function.

Choice D rationale:

"Sleep deprivation is linked to improved menstrual cycles" is an incorrect statement. Sleep deprivation is more likely to disrupt menstrual cycles rather than improve them. Irregular or absent menstrual cycles can result from hormonal disturbances caused by inadequate sleep. Hormonal imbalances can lead to conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and menstrual irregularities.

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.