A 74-year-old client has been having sleeping difficulties. To have a

A 74-year-old client has been having sleeping difficulties. To have a better idea of the client’s problem, the nurse should respond:

1. “What do you do just before going to bed?”
2. “Let’s make sure that your bedroom is completely darkened at night.”
3. “Why don’t you try napping more during the daytime?”
4. “Do you eat a small snack before going to bed?”

ANSWER

ANS: 1
To assess the client’s sleeping problem, the nurse should inquire about predisposing factors, such as by asking “What do you do just before going to bed?” Assessment is aimed at understanding the characteristics of any sleep problem and the client’s usual sleep habits so that ways for pro-moting sleep can be incorporated into nursing care. Older adults sleep best in softly lit rooms. Napping more during the daytime is often not the best solution. The nurse should first assess the client’s sleeping problem. The client does not always have to eat something before going to bed.