Author Question: A 73-year-old patient reports to the nurse about waking up early and not being able to return to ... (Read 32 times)

saliriagwu · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

A 73-year-old patient reports to the nurse about waking up early and not being able to return to sleep. The patient states, I do not go to bed until after the evening news.

What is the best advice for the nurse to give this patient to encourage a good night's sleep? a. Take a nap in the afternoon.
b. Go to bed earlier.
c. Go to bed later.
d. Take a benzodiazepine.

Question 2

A 67-year-old farmer is at the clinic because he has been sleepy during the day. Which sleep change occurs with age?

a. Older adults spend more time in stage 3.
b. Older adults spend more time in REM sleep.
c. Older adults spend more time in falling asleep.
d. Older adults spend more time in deep sleep.

nanny · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

B
Older patients become sleepier in the early evening (going to bed when the body is naturally sleepy is beneficial) and wake earlier in the morning, but still require the necessary 7 to 8 hours of sleep a day. Going to bed later would not be beneficial. Research indicates that exercise is beneficial, particularly for older adults, to improve nighttime sleep. General recommendations include increasing daytime activity or exercise, not taking a nap. The use of benzodiazepines in the older adult population is potentially dangerous. Long-term use and high doses in this population have been associated with suicidal ideation.

Answer to Question 2

C
Older adults awaken more often during the night, and it takes more time for them to fall asleep. To compensate they increase the number of naps taken during the day. Older adults spend more time in stage 1 and have less stages 3 and 4 NREM sleep; some older adults have almost no NREM stage 4 or deep sleep. Episodes of REM sleep tend to shorten, and there is less deep sleep and more lighter sleep.