A sleeping patient has periodic pauses in breathing, then starts to breathe again.
The nurse recognizes this sleep pattern is consistent with:.

Choice A rationale:
Using a pain scale from 0 to 10 is a crucial principle in managing a client's postoperative pain. It allows for a standardized assessment of pain severity and helps healthcare providers determine the effectiveness of pain management interventions.
Choice B rationale:
Considering the client's individual expression of pain is essential in providing personalized care. People experience and express pain differently, so tailoring the approach to each client's unique needs is vital for effective pain management.
Choice C rationale:
Expecting the client to express pain both verbally and nonverbally is another important principle in pain management. Some clients may not be able to communicate verbally, so nurses should be attentive to nonverbal cues such as grimacing, restlessness, or changes in vital signs to assess pain.
Choice D rationale:
Administering opioids with caution is a general principle in pain management, but the statement that they will eventually lead to addiction is an oversimplification. While there is a risk of opioid addiction, it is not an absolute certainty, and the benefits of pain relief often outweigh the risks. Therefore, this statement is not entirely accurate.
Choice E rationale:
Administering analgesics for fast-acting pain relief is a valid principle, especially in the postoperative period when the client may be experiencing acute pain. Fast-acting analgesics help alleviate immediate discomfort.

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.