A mixed apnea is characterized by what?

A mixed apnea is characterized by the presence of both central and obstructive components within the same episode. Specifically, it begins with a cessation of breathing due to a lack of respiratory effort, which is indicative of central sleep apnea, and then transitions into obstructive sleep apnea, where there is an obstruction of the upper airway despite ongoing respiratory effort.

This dual nature of mixed apnea is critical as it highlights the complexity of sleep-disordered breathing, requiring different management strategies depending on the components involved. Understanding this progression from central to obstructive components is essential for effective diagnosis and treatment, as well as for the interpretation of polysomnographic data. The other options either define central or obstructive apnea in isolation or incorrectly state the absence of respiratory effort throughout the entire episode, which does not accurately describe the nature of mixed apnea.