An older patient is diagnosed with RLS. Which of the following ...

[elizabeth18]

An older patient is diagnosed with RLS. Which of the following nonpharmacologic interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care? (Select all that apply.)
 
  a. Engage in regular mild to moderate phys-ical activity including stretching activities for the lower extremities.
  b. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco.
  c. Avoid hot baths.
  d. Relaxation techniques may be helpful.
  e. A mild sleeping medication such as di-phenhydramine (Benadryl) might be help-ful.

Question 2

An older adult tells a nurse that he is experiencing difficulty falling asleep, he routinely gets into bed at 8:30 PM and watches his favorite television shows until 11:00 PM, and often lies awake for hours after.
 
  Which of the following suggestions are appropriate for the nurse to give to this patient? (Select all that apply.)
  a. Go to bed only when sleepy.
  b. If unable to sleep within a reasonable time (15-20 minutes), get out of bed and pursue relaxing activities.
  c. Engage in moderate exercise to induce fatigue.
  d. Do not watch television or work in bed.
  e. If unable to sleep, engage in enjoyable ac-tivities on the computer.

[Cnarkel]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A, B, D
Nonpharmacologic therapy includes stretching the lower extremities, mild to moderate physical activity, hot baths, massage, acupressure, relaxation techniques, and avoidance of caffeine, alco-hol, and tobacco. The use of diphenhydramine (Benadryl) as a sleeping medication for older adults is not appropriate. There is also no evidence that it will decrease RLS.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A, B, D
Some interventions to improve sleep include going to bed only when sleepy, matching the num-ber of hours in bed to the actual hours of sleep, and reserving the bed for sleep and sex only. En-gaging in exercise immediately before sleep will not assist the person in falling asleep, and use of the computer is also discouraged as it can disturb sleep.