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Obstructive sleep apnoea — MCCQE Part 1 MCQ

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EasyFatigueObstructive sleep apnoeaMCCQE Part 1

A 52-year-old man with obesity has loud snoring, witnessed apnoeas, daytime sleepiness, elevated BP and a high Epworth score. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C — Arrange sleep study and counsel on weight, alcohol avoidance and driving risk if sleepy

Arrange sleep study and counsel on weight, alcohol avoidance and driving risk if sleepy is the single best answer because the age, timing, examination findings and investigations in the vignette fit Obstructive sleep apnoea better than the alternatives. The most tempting distractor is less appropriate because it either treats a neighbouring presentation, delays a time-critical intervention, or ignores a key discriminator in the stem. The remaining options are suboptimal because they would miss the diagnosis, use an investigation or treatment in the wrong sequence, or fail to address safety and follow-up. Canadian practice should be anchored to Canadian Thoracic Society sleep apnoea guidance, with attention to acuity, safety-netting and local provincial pathways.

Reference: https://mcc.ca/objectives/medical-experts/