A young mother has been hospitalized for an irregular heartbeat (dysrhythmia). The night nurse makes rounds and finds the patient awake. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

Question

a. Inform the patient that it is late and time to go to sleep.
b. Ask the patient if she would like medication for sleep.
c. Recommend a good movie that is on television tonight.
d. Take time to sit and talk with the patient about her inability to sleep.

Answer 1

ANS: D
A nurse on the night shift needs to take time to sit and talk with patients unable to sleep. This helps to determine the factors keeping patients awake. Assessment is the first step of the nursing process; therefore assessment needs to be done first and involves ascertaining the cause of the patient's inability to sleep. Patients who are admitted to the hospital for uncertain diagnoses can be stressed and worried about the testing and outcomes. In addition, a young mother can be worried about the care of her children and those caring for the children. This uncertainty and change in routine can cause difficulty in resting or falling asleep. A distraction such as a television may or may not work for the patient. After assessment is completed, a sedative may or may not be in order. Telling the patient that it is late and time to go to sleep is not a therapeutic response for an adult who is under stress.