What is the function of a CPAP device?

The function of a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) device is to provide airway pressure to keep the airways open during sleep. This is particularly important for individuals suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, a condition where the airway becomes blocked or collapses during sleep, leading to interrupted breathing. The CPAP machine delivers a steady stream of air that helps maintain positive pressure in the throat, preventing airway collapse and thereby ensuring that breathing remains steady throughout the night.

While supplemental oxygen can be beneficial for certain conditions, it is not the primary function of a CPAP device. Monitoring sleep stages is typically conducted through polysomnography or similar sleep studies, and not directly by a CPAP device. Although CPAP usage can help reduce or eliminate snoring, its primary role is to maintain airway patency rather than directly targeting snoring itself. Therefore, the correct answer emphasizes the crucial aspect of airway pressure management that CPAP devices provide.