Question

Discuss how identifying and treating patients’ sleep pattern disturbances are vital to health. How can a nurse best explore a client’s sleep?

Answer 1

Identifying and treating patients’ sleep pattern disturbances are vital to health.

The above said is very true statement.

  Consequences of sleep conditions play a key indicator of public health. mortality, morbidity, performance, accidents and injuries, functioning and quality of life, family well-being, and health care utilization. Some of these consequences, such as automobile crashes, occur acutely within hours (or minutes) of the sleep disorder.  Obesity and Hypertension can also of chronic sleep problems. After decades of research, the case can be confidently made that sleep loss and sleep disorders have profound and widespread effects on human health.

Sleep Disorders are marked by one of these symptoms: excessive daytime sleepiness, difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or abnormal movements, behaviors, and sensations occurring during sleep. The effects of sleep loss and sleep disorders have been associated with an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attack, and stroke.

ROLE OF A NURSE

Adequacy of sleep is an important factor in caring for clients with acute and chronic illness.

Some sleep disturbances are temporary and related to the stress of hospitalization. It is possible that temporary stress problems will be corrected only after the client’s return home. Clients with sleep disturbances may need follow – up care with repeated assessments. Clients with long term sleep disorders may need ongoing support to maintain the effectiveness of treatment. The nurse can play a pivotal role in environmental modification and client teaching to minimize the impact of sleep.

1.Encourage daily exercise.

2.Encourage to avoid use of alcohol, caffeine, heavy meals

3. Promote exercise at least a couple of hours before bedtime.

4.Provide comfort using techniques such as white noise, dim lighting, pain management, stress reduction techniques, massage and the elimination of environmental noise.