Final answer:
To promote healthy sleep, a community health nurse should recommend creating a comfortable sleep environment, using sedatives as a last resort, decreasing fluids before bed, and getting up if sleep does not come within 15 to 30 minutes. Additionally, the nurse should advise against naps and watching TV before bed as well as highlight the importance of avoiding stimulants and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule.
Step-by-step explanation:
Best Practices for Promoting Sleep
When it comes to promoting healthy sleep in the elderly, a community health nurse should recommend practices that contribute to good sleep hygiene. These include:
- Sleeping where one sleeps best, which means creating a comfortable sleep environment that is conducive to rest.
- Using sedatives only as a last resort, after exploring other behavioral and lifestyle adjustments.
- Decreasing fluids 2 to 4 hours before bedtime to minimize disruptions for bathroom trips.
- Getting up and engaging in a quiet activity if unable to fall asleep within 15 to 30 minutes, which can help to train the body to associate the bed with sleep.
To further improve sleep quality, the nurse should also advise against afternoon napping, suggest maintaining a cool bedroom temperature, and discourage watching television right before bed. The nurse could highlight the importance of avoiding stimulants like caffeine and nicotine before bedtime and stress the benefits of daily exercise, particularly if done several hours prior to sleep. Consistency with sleep schedules, even on weekends, is another crucial element for stabilizing the circadian rhythm.