Pharm Essay

Pharm Essay

Essay Exam 3
April 6, 2008

I.)   Sleep Deprivation
1.)   Describe Sleep Deprivation

Sleep deprivation is a lack of sleep necessary to function.   It may result in detrimental effects on physical and mental well-being.   Generally, most adults need on average, 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. Rarely do those who receive this amount of sleep normally do not have the urge to nap.   As a matter of fact, sleep is so critical to our overall health that complete sleep deprivation has been proven to be fatal.  

2.)   Describe health consequences of sleep deprivation and how it effects everyday life.  

Without ample rest, the brain's ability to operate rapidly declines and therefore must work harder to neutralize sleep deprivation consequences.   It still continues to function, however it operates less effectively. Some of the most common effects sleep deprivation manifests include slurred speech, tremors, depression, heart disease, hypertension, de-realization, dizziness, blurred vision and irritability.  
Sleep deprivation has also been shown to weaken the immune system.   Healing time is much slower when a patient has a lack of sleep.   Growth is also effected as sleep deprivation was discovered to improve activity on the Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.   This controls responses to stress and regulates body functions such as mood, energy usage, digestion, the immune system and sex all while suppressing growth hormones.    
Studies suggest sleep deprivation may be a cause of obesity.   It may disrupt hormones that regulate metabolism and appetite.   It also severely affects the body's ability to metabolize glucose which can lead to early-stage Diabetes Type 2.
3.)   Put all of this in a nursing context and discuss how a nurse might intervene with a patient to improve his overall health.
A nurse may suggest some of the following to promote sleep and enhance a patients overall health.   Some interventions include the following:
Obtain a sleep-wake history to...