Understanding Sleep, Circadian Rhythms, and Disorders

Sleep

Altered consciousness state with decreased environmental perception.

Circadian Rhythm

24-hour internal biological clock regulating sleep-wake cycle.

Importance of Sleep

Essential for coping with stress and restoring energy.

NREM Sleep

Non-rapid eye movement sleep with three distinct stages.

Stage 1 NREM

Light sleep lasting a few minutes, easily awakened.

Stage 2 NREM

Moderate sleep, requires more stimuli to awaken.

Stage 3 NREM

Deep sleep, essential for energy restoration and growth.

Delta Waves

Brain waves present during deep sleep stages.

REM Sleep

Rapid eye movement sleep with high brain activity.

Acetylcholine in REM

Neurotransmitter peaks during REM, linked to dreaming.

Dopamine in REM

Increased levels during REM, associated with cortical activation.

Sleep Duration

Humans spend about one-third of life asleep.

Physiological Processes

Regulated by circadian rhythm including hormone release.

Sleep-Wake Cycle

Regulated by circadian rhythm and environmental factors.

Patient Fatigue Management

Nursing care assesses and manages patient fatigue.

Delirium Prevention

Proper sleep management prevents complications like delirium.

Wound Healing

Improved sleep enhances immune response and healing.

Medication Timing

Aligns with patient's sleep cycles for effectiveness.

Heart Rate in NREM

Decreases during NREM sleep stages.

Respiratory Rate in NREM

Drops slightly during NREM sleep stages.

Body Temperature in NREM

Falls during NREM sleep stages.

Sleep Stages Percentage

Stage 3 represents 75-80% of total sleep.

REM Sleep

Paradoxical sleep with EEG resembling wakefulness.

Sleep Percentage

REM sleep constitutes 20-25% of total sleep.

Eye Movements

Rapid eye movements occur during REM sleep.

Breathing Patterns

Breathing becomes irregular in REM sleep.

Memory Consolidation

REM sleep essential for memory and emotional processing.

Insomnia

Difficulty falling or staying asleep, feeling unrested.

Acute Insomnia

Lasts one to several nights, often stress-related.

Chronic Insomnia

Persists longer than a month, ongoing sleep issues.

Chronic-Intermittent Insomnia

Intermittent sleep difficulties, alternating with adequate sleep.

Hypersomnia

Sufficient night sleep but excessive daytime sleepiness.

CNS Damage

Medical cause of hypersomnia affecting central nervous system.

Sleep Apnea

Breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.

Apneic Episodes

More than five pauses over 10 seconds per hour.

Obstructive Apnea

Airflow blocked by pharynx or oral cavity structures.

Central Apnea

Breathing ceases due to brain respiratory center defect.

Mixed Apnea

Combination of obstructive and central apnea features.

Narcolepsy

Sudden, uncontrollable sleep attacks during the day.

Hypocretin Deficiency

Lack of hypocretin causes narcolepsy symptoms.

Cataplexy

Sudden muscle weakness associated with narcolepsy.

Parasomnias

Unusual behaviors during sleep, like sleepwalking.

Night Terrors

Episodes of intense fear during sleep, common in children.

Parasomnia

Behavior interfering with sleep, occurring during sleep.

Non-Rapid Eye Movement Parasomnia

Includes confusion, sleep walking, and sleep tremors.

Rapid Eye Movement Parasomnia

Associated with sleep paralysis and nightmare disorders.

Miscellaneous Parasomnia

Not linked to sleep stages; may cause hallucinations.

Insufficient Sleep

Sleep deprivation causing daytime fatigue and attention deficits.

Sleep Assessment

Gathering history and patterns using sleep diaries.

Nursing Diagnosis

Identifying sleep issues linked to stress or fatigue.

Sleep Hygiene

Promoting routines and environment for better sleep.

Client Education

Teaching importance of sleep and safe sleep aid use.

Evaluating Sleep Goals

Assessing improvement through feedback and sleep diaries.

Collaboration with Specialists

Involving experts for comprehensive sleep disorder care.

Monitoring Medication Side Effects

Observing for drowsiness and dependence from sleep aids.

Advocating for Sleep Environment

Ensuring access to conducive sleep settings for clients.

Promoting Long-Term Sleep Habits

Encouraging sustainable lifestyle changes for better sleep.

Normal Temperature Range

36.5°C to 37.5°C (97.7°F to 99.5°F).

Normal Pulse Rate

60 to 100 beats per minute.

Normal Respiratory Rate

12 to 20 breaths per minute.

Normal Blood Pressure

90/60 mmHg to 120/80 mmHg.

Normal Oxygen Saturation

95% to 100%.

Sleep Diary

Tool for tracking sleep patterns and quality.

Sleep Disorders Classification

Divided into three classes by the International Classification.

Sleep Paralysis

Arousal disorder during REM sleep, causing immobility.