Final answer:
The nurse's most therapeutic response to understanding if one is really rested is that they feel mentally, physically, and emotionally ready to handle daily tasks, as being rested impacts health and overall function. Sleep debt and individual differences in sleep need also play a role in how rest is perceived and achieved.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question 'How will I know if I'm really rested?' pertains to the subjective nature of feeling rested and the health indicators of sufficient sleep. Sleep is a complex physiological process involving circadian and homeostatic mechanisms, and can be affected by daily energetic demands. The nurse's most therapeutic response to the query would likely be 'C. "When you are mentally, physically, and emotionally ready to go about your daily activities."' This is because being rested should result in the ability to function effectively in daily life, taking into account that rest also affects physical health, mental alertness, and emotional well-being. Accumulating a sleep debt can have adverse consequences like decreased alertness and mental efficiency. It is also important for the nurse to acknowledge the individual variability in sleep needs and the signs of sufficient sleep, such as the ease of falling asleep and sleep duration, which can be determined only through self-assessment and potential consultation with healthcare professionals.