What should a therapist recommend if polysomnography is indicated based on overnight oximetry results?

When overnight oximetry results suggest that polysomnography is indicated, the appropriate recommendation is to refer the patient for polysomnography. This sleep study is essential for diagnosing conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or other sleep disorders that cannot be definitively identified through oximetry alone. Polysomnography provides comprehensive data, including brain activity, eye movements, muscle activity, heart rate, and respiratory patterns during sleep, allowing for a thorough evaluation of the patient's sleep health.

This step is critical because the information obtained from polysomnography is necessary for developing an effective treatment plan. Once a clear diagnosis is established through this more detailed assessment, treatment options such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can be considered if OSA is diagnosed.

While starting CPAP therapy is a common treatment for diagnosed sleep apnea, it should only occur after a proper diagnosis through polysomnography. Increasing the frequency of oximetry checks or educating the patient on home remedies would not address the need for a definitive diagnosis and could delay appropriate treatment, making them less suitable options in this scenario.