Question

The nurse is caring for a patient who has not been able to sleep well while in the hospital, leading to a disrupted sleep-wake cycle. Which assessment findings will the nurse monitor for in this patient? (Select all that apply.)

a) Changes in physiological function such as temperature
b) Decreased appetite and weight loss
c) Anxiety, irritability, and restlessness
d) Shortness of breath and chest pain

Answer 1

In a patient with disturbed sleep, nurses should monitor for changes in temperature, decreased appetite and weight loss, and signs of anxiety and restlessness. Shortness of breath and chest pain, while serious, are not directly related to disrupted sleep but important for overall patient health monitoring.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing a patient who has a disrupted sleep-wake cycle resulting in poor sleep quality, the nurse should monitor for several key assessment findings:

• Changes in physiological function such as temperature, which may include variations from normal patterns.
• A decreased appetite and potential weight loss, as sleep disturbances can affect metabolic processes and hunger signals.
• Anxiety, irritability, and restlessness, which are common psychological responses to lack of sleep. Patients may feel on edge or have difficulty staying calm.

These assessment findings correlate with the general effects of sleep deprivation on both physiological and psychological well-being. Shortness of breath and chest pain are not typically direct results of disrupted sleep but should be monitored as potential indicators of other serious health conditions.