A nurse is conducting an assessment with a client who has been experiencing difficulty adjusting to different time zones due to frequent travel. Which aspect of sleep and wakefulness disorders is the client likely experiencing?

Choice A rationale:

Increased irritability and anxiety are indeed potential impacts of sleep deprivation, but they primarily affect the emotional aspect of the individual rather than cognitive function.

Choice B rationale:

Altered metabolic function such as obesity is a potential impact of sleep deprivation, but it's related to metabolic processes rather than cognitive function.

Choice C rationale:

Impaired judgment and decision-making are well-documented effects of sleep deprivation. Sleep plays a crucial role in cognitive processes, and lack of adequate sleep can lead to difficulties in reasoning, problem-solving, and making sound decisions.

Choice D rationale:

Decreased sexual function like low libido is a potential impact of sleep deprivation, but it's related to sexual health rather than cognitive function.

Choice A rationale:

Excessive daytime sleepiness is a symptom that can occur in various sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and even insufficient sleep due to poor sleep hygiene. However, the client's difficulty adjusting to different time zones due to frequent travel is more indicative of a disruption in circadian rhythms caused by shift work and jet lag, rather than a specific disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness.

Choice B rationale:

Shift work sleep disorder is the correct choice. Frequent travel across different time zones disrupts the body's natural circadian rhythm, leading to difficulties in adjusting to new sleep-wake schedules. This disruption can result in insomnia, fatigue, and daytime sleepiness. The client's experience aligns with the characteristics of shift work sleep disorder, which is common among individuals who work irregular hours or travel frequently.

Choice C rationale:

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) involves uncomfortable sensations in the legs that lead to an urge to move them. This disorder is unlikely to be the cause of the client's difficulty adjusting to time zone changes and frequent travel. RLS symptoms are more related to sensations in the legs rather than disturbances in sleep-wake schedules.

Choice D rationale:

Mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, can certainly impact sleep and wakefulness. However, the client's symptoms of struggling with time zone adjustments and frequent travel are more closely associated with disruptions in circadian rhythms due to changes in sleep schedules rather than being solely indicative of a mood disorder.