A patient has fallen and injured her knee.
It is not fractured, but there is considerable swelling and pain.
She asks which over-the-counter analgesic would be best to take for her discomfort.
The nurse tells her that one with NSAID properties would be best.
Which would it be best to take?

Choice A rationale:

True. As people age, it is common for them to experience more frequent awakenings during the night. This is often due to changes in sleep patterns, such as a decreased ability to maintain deep sleep, which can result in waking up more easily. Additionally, older adults may nap more during the day, which can affect their nighttime sleep patterns.

Choice B rationale:

False. Giving older adults hypnotics to induce better sleep is not a recommended approach as it may have adverse effects, including dependency and increased risk of falls. The focus should be on understanding and addressing the underlying causes of sleep disturbances in older adults.

Choice C rationale:

False. While it is important to assess and address sleep concerns in older adults, there is no fixed requirement of needing at least 10 hours of sleep a day to prevent fatigue. Sleep needs can vary, and older adults may require less sleep than younger individuals.

Choice D rationale:

False. Older adults may nap more during the day, but reducing daytime napping is not a guaranteed solution to improve nighttime sleep. Sleep patterns can change with age, and individual variations in sleep needs and habits should be considered.

Choice A rationale:

Going to bed hungry or overly full can interfere with sleep. When you're too hungry, your body may be uncomfortable and unable to relax, making it difficult to fall asleep. Conversely, going to bed overly full can lead to discomfort, and indigestion, and may result in disrupted sleep. Therefore, it does not help the patient reach REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep faster.

Choice B rationale:

Overeating or going to bed hungry does not aid in reaching REM sleep faster. It is essential for individuals to have a balanced diet and avoid excessive hunger or fullness to promote a healthy sleep pattern. REM sleep is a stage of deep sleep that occurs cyclically throughout the night, and it is influenced by various factors, including individual sleep patterns and circadian rhythms.

Choice C rationale:

REM sleep, a stage of deep sleep, is not influenced by going to bed hungry or overly full. Instead, it is primarily regulated by the body's internal clock and sleep-wake cycles. Factors such as hunger or fullness may affect the quality of sleep but do not contribute to reaching REM sleep faster.

Choice D rationale:

False. Going to bed hungry or overly full does not have a direct impact on the patient's ability to reach REM sleep faster. REM sleep is a natural part of the sleep cycle and is influenced by various factors, such as circadian rhythms, sleep disorders, and medications, but not by the state of hunger or fullness.