The common side effect of CPAP mask is:

Combined AIIMS - 2020 (Jodhpur, Bhopal, Patna, Raipur)

Medical Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: Combined AIIMS - 2020 (Jodhpur, Bhopal, Patna, Raipur)

Explanation

Claustrophobia is an irrational fear of confined spaces.
The CPAP mask, as shown in the image, fits tightly over the nose and/or mouth, which can make the user feel trapped, restricted, or suffocated.
This feeling of confinement directly triggers claustrophobic anxiety in susceptible individuals.
This psychological discomfort is a well-documented and common reason for poor patient compliance and early discontinuation of essential CPAP therapy for conditions like sleep apnea.

Option B: Hydrophobia is the fear of water. It has no connection to wearing a respiratory mask.
Option C: Acrophobia is the fear of heights. It is an anxiety disorder unrelated to medical devices worn on the face.
Option D: Nomophobia is the fear or anxiety caused by not having a working mobile phone. It is a modern, behavioral issue.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Side effects and patient adherence issues related to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Patient education is a primary nursing responsibility for improving CPAP adherence. Helping patients anticipate and manage side effects like claustrophobia is critical for long-term treatment success.
Nurses can suggest practical coping strategies, such as desensitization (wearing the mask for short periods while awake), ensuring a proper fit, and exploring different mask types with the provider.
What if? If a patient continues to experience severe claustrophobia despite trying different masks and desensitization, the nurse should facilitate a referral back to the sleep specialist. Alternative treatments for sleep apnea, such as oral appliances or surgical options, may need to be considered.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question: It asks for a common side effect of a specific medical device, the CPAP mask.
Analyze the function and user experience of a CPAP mask. It is a device worn tightly on the face, often for the entire night, to deliver pressurized air.
Next, evaluate the options provided. All options are specific phobias (fears).
Connect the physical experience of wearing the mask (a feeling of confinement) to the definition of each phobia.
Claustrophobia is the fear of confined spaces, which is a direct and logical psychological reaction to having a mask strapped to one's face.
Rule out the other options as they are irrelevant: Hydrophobia (fear of water), Acrophobia (fear of heights), and Nomophobia (fear of being without a mobile phone) have no connection to the use of a CPAP mask.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Side effects and patient adherence issues related to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy.
Stem keywords: CPAP mask, common side effect
Lead-in keywords: is
Clinical cues: The image shows a full-face CPAP mask, which is more likely to induce claustrophobia than smaller nasal masks.