During a sleep study, what is one of the parameters that should be monitored?

Monitoring respiratory flow during a sleep study is crucial because it provides key insights into a patient’s breathing patterns during sleep. This parameter helps in the identification of various sleep-related breathing disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Changes or abnormalities in respiratory flow can signal respiratory effort, airflow obstruction, or cessation of breathing, which are critical for diagnosing and understanding the severity of these conditions.

The measurement of respiratory flow also informs the technologist about the effectiveness of the patient's breathing and can indicate whether they are experiencing hypopnea or apnea events. Monitoring this parameter is essential for assessing the overall sleep quality and the patient's health during the sleep study.