A 25-year-old client’s wife complains to the nurse that he sleepwalks

A 25-year-old client’s wife complains to the nurse that he sleepwalks during the night. The nurse knows that this behavior normally occurs in which stage of sleep?

1. Stage 2: NREM
2. Stage 3: NREM
3. Stage 4: NREM
4. REM

ANSWER

ANS: 3
Stage 4 NREM sleep is the deepest stage of sleep. It is very difficult to arouse the sleeper. If sleep loss has occurred, the sleeper will spend a considerable portion of the night in this stage. Vital signs are significantly lower than during waking hours. The stage lasts approximately 15 to 30 minutes. Sleepwalking and enuresis (bed-wetting) sometimes occur. Stage 2 NREM is a peri-od of sound sleep. Stage 3 NREM involves initial stages of deep sleep. REM sleep involves viv-id, full-color dreaming. Loss of skeletal muscle tone occurs. It is very difficult to arouse the sleeper. Less vivid dreaming occurs in other stages. The stage is typified by autonomic response of rapidly moving eyes, fluctuating heart and respiratory rates, and increased or fluctuating blood pressure.