Sleep, Rest, and Pain Management Flashcards

Sleep, Rest, and Pain Management Notes

Functions of Sleep and Rest

• Restoration of Biological Processes:
  • Tissue renewal, including cell division and protein synthesis.
• Recovery from Illness.
• Memory Consolidation:
  • Important for learning and stress adaptation.
• Mental Relaxation.
• Preparation for Wakefulness.
• Dreaming:
  • Critical for learning and memory.
  • REM sleep links to brain development, cognition, and memory.

Consequences of Poor Sleep and Rest

• Cognitive Impacts:
  • ↓ Ability to concentrate
  • ↑ Irritability
  • ↓ Ability to make judgments
  • ↑ Confusion
• Health Risks:
  • ↑ Risk for chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, obesity)
  • ↓ Body functionality (affecting mood, motor performance, memory)
  • ↑ Health care costs and hospitalization
  • ↓ Immunity
  • ↑ Risk for accidents
• Metabolic Effects:
  • Overall ↓ in metabolism.

Stages of Sleep

• N1 (Light Sleep):
  • Lasts a few minutes; easily aroused; characterized by decline in vital signs.
• N2 (Sound Sleep):
  • Lasts 10-20 minutes; further relaxation; still easily aroused.
• N3 (Deep Sleep):
  • Significant decrease in brain and muscle activity; difficult to arouse.
• REM Sleep:
  • Occurs about 90 minutes after sleep onset, lasts on average 20 minutes; characterized by dreaming and fluctuations in vital signs.

Normal Sleep Requirements by Age

• Neonates & Infants (up to age 2):
  • 15-16 hours/day, approx. 50% REM sleep for brain development.
• Toddlers (up to age 5):
  • 12 hours/day; may experience nighttime waking.
• Preschoolers and School-Age Children (age 5-11):
  • 9-12 hours/day, needs decrease with age; nighttime fears common.
• Adolescents:
  • Typically sleep less than 7 hours; recommended 8-10 hours due to school demands.
• Young and Middle Adults:
  • Usually sleep 6-9 hours; sleep quality often decreases with age.
• Older Adults:
  • Increased sleep difficulties and less REM sleep; longer to fall asleep.

Factors Affecting Sleep

• Physical Illness: respiratory issues, heart disease, RLS, anxiety, etc.
• Development Age: changes across life stages.
• Medications: various substances can impact sleep quality.
• Environmental Factors: home, hospital, or care facility conditions.
• Lifestyle: usual patterns and disturbances.

Sleep Disorders Overview

• Impact of Sleep Loss:
  • Can affect physical and psychological well-being, increasing accident risks and health issues.
• Common Disorders:
  • Insomnia: chronic difficulty falling asleep, commonly linked to depression.
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea: breathing difficulty during sleep, leading to severe health risks unless treated.
  • Narcolepsy: involves excessive daytime sleepiness; treatment includes lifestyle changes and medications.
  • Parasomnia: abnormal behavior during sleep, treatment varies.

Types of Pain

• Acute Pain: Short-term and protective, often associated with injury or illness. Goals focus on relief to aid recovery.
• Chronic Pain: Lasts beyond expected healing periods, often associated with conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia. Seeking good quality of life becomes key.
• Chronic Episodic Pain: Varied duration, like migraines.
• Cancer Pain: Related to the disease or treatments; careful management is critical.
• Idiopathic Pain: No known cause; managing symptoms is crucial.

Factors Influencing Pain Perception

• Physiological: Age, fatigue, genetics, and neurological function.
• Social: Previous experiences, familial support, and positive connections.
• Psychological: Attention to pain, anxiety levels, fear responses. Positive coping mechanisms should be integrated into care.
• Cultural: Beliefs about pain can influence coping strategies; nursing care should align with a client's cultural context.

Assessing Pain

• Assessment Strategies:
  • Include verbal/non-verbal cues, physiological signs, and contextual factors affecting pain.
• Pain Scales:
  • Numerical Scale: 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain).
  • Visual Scale: Used for those who may struggle to express their pain verbally.

Pain Management Approaches

• Pharmacological: Includes analgesics (opioids and non-opioids), PCA devices, and topical medications. Essential to consider application methods and client capabilities.
• Non-Pharmacological: Techniques like relaxation exercises, guided imagery, TENS units, and appropriate use of heat/cold for pain relief. Regular exercise and nutrition practices are also significant.