Which of the following substances is a natural hormone produced by the pineal gland that induces sleep?
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Solution
Melatonin
Melatonin is a natural hormone that induces sleep. All the others are medications classified as stimulants.
Which of the following sleep disorders is the most prevalent?
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Solution
Insomnia
Approximately 1/3 of American adults have some type of sleep disorder, and insomnia is the most common.
Which of the following conditions characterizes rapid eye movement (REM) sleep?
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Solution
Highly active brain and physiological activity levels.
Highly active brain and physiological activity levels characterize REM stage. Stages 3 and 4 of NREM sleep are characterized by disorientation and disorganization, During REM sleep, the body movement ceases except for the eyes. The pulse rate slows by 5-10 beats/minute during NREM sleep, not REM sleep.
Which of the following is an appropriate nursing intervention for patients who are receiving CNS depressants?
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Solution
Make sure the patient’s call light is close by in case of the need for assistance with activities.
Pediatric and geriatric patients often react with more sensitivity to CNS depressants. This type of sensitivity manifests itself in the development of which type of reaction?
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Solution
Paradoxical
Which of the following is an important nursing action for the administration of a benzodiazepine as a sedative-hypnotic agent?
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Solution
Monitor geriatric patients for the common occurrence of paradoxical reactions.
The patient’s chart notes the administration of dantrolene (Dantrium) immediately postoperatively. The nurse suspects that the patient experienced:
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Solution
Malignant hyperthermia
Dantrolene is a direct-acting musculoskeletal muscle relaxant and is the drug of choice to treat malignant hyperthermia, a complication of generalized anesthesia.
During patient teaching, the nurse explains the difference between a sedative and hypnotic by stating:
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Solution
“Most drugs produce sedation at low doses and sleep (the hypnotic effect) at higher doses.”
Many drugs have both sedative and hypnotic properties, with the sedative properties evident at low doses and the hypnotic properties demonstrated at larger doses.
A patient is admitted to the emergency department with an overdose of a barbiturate. The nurse immediately prepares to administer which of the following from the emergency drug cart?
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Solution
activated charcoal
There is no antidote for barbiturates. The use of activated charcoal absorbs any drug in the GI tract, preventing absorption.
Which nursing diagnosis is appropriate for a patient who has received a sedative-hypnotic agent?
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Solution
Risk for injury
Sedative-hypnotics cause CNS depression, putting the patient at risk for injury.