Final answer:
Option (D), Sedative-hypnotics affect REM and NREM sleep and may lead to dependencies and altered sleep cycles. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is often more effective for sleep disturbances like insomnia.
Step-by-step explanation:
Medications that induce sleep, also known as sedative-hypnotics, can have various effects on sleep architecture, which includes both REM (rapid eye movement) and NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep. For individuals who experience sleep disturbances, including insomnia, it is often recommended by healthcare professionals to restrict waking activities in bed to strengthen the association between bed and sleep. This approach is part of cognitive-behavioral therapy which can be more effective than sleep medications over time, as these drugs may lead to dependence and changes in sleep cycles.
Treating sleep disorders like narcolepsy, which exhibits symptoms similar to REM sleep such as cataplexy, involves a different class of medications, primarily psychomotor stimulants like amphetamines. However, these do not address the underlying hypocretin deficiency associated with the disorder.
Therefore, emerging treatments aim to directly target the hypocretin system. Considering the impact of sedative-hypnotics on sleep, the nurse should be aware that combining these medications with alcohol or amphetamines to manage side effects is not advisable due to potential for increased sleep disturbance and negative interactions.