Which assessment is most important to determine if a patient is receiving sufficient sleep?

Choice A reason: This is an incorrect choice because suggesting having warm milk with a shot of whisky before going to bed is not an appropriate intervention to treat ongoing insomnia for a middle-aged adult with a busy career. Warm milk may have some soothing effects on the patient, but adding whisky to it may counteract the benefits and worsen the insomnia. Alcohol is a depressant that can make the patient feel sleepy at first, but it can also disrupt the sleep cycle and cause frequent awakenings, nightmares, or hangovers.

Choice B reason: This is an incorrect choice because obtaining a prescription for zolpidem to be taken at bedtime is not an appropriate intervention to treat ongoing insomnia for a middle-aged adult with a busy career. Zolpidem is a hypnotic drug that can induce sleep and improve the sleep quality and quantity of the patient, but it can also have many side effects and interactions, and cause dependence, tolerance, or withdrawal. Zolpidem should be used only as a short-term treatment for insomnia, and only under the supervision of a physician.

Choice C reason: This is an incorrect choice because recommending the use of sleep aids such as triazolam is not an appropriate intervention to treat ongoing insomnia for a middle-aged adult with a busy career. Triazolam is a benzodiazepine drug that can enhance the activity of GABA, a neurotransmitter that inhibits brain activity and promotes sleep. However, it can also have many side effects and interactions, and cause dependence, tolerance, or withdrawal. Triazolam should be used only as a short-term treatment for insomnia, and only under the supervision of a physician.

Choice D reason: This is the correct choice because encouraging the patient to practice peaceful meditation before bedtime is an appropriate intervention to treat ongoing insomnia for a middle-aged adult with a busy career. Meditation is a relaxation technique that can reduce stress, anxiety, and negative emotions, and promote calmness, mindfulness, and well-being. Meditation can help the patient to fall asleep faster and sleep better, and it does not have any adverse effects or risks. The nurse should teach the patient how to meditate and encourage the patient to practice it regularly.

Choice A reason: This is the correct choice because assessment is the step of the nursing process that involves collecting and organizing data about the patient's health status and needs. The nurse who carefully enters a new patient’s medical history and current medication list into the agency’s electronic health record (EHR) is performing an assessment by gathering relevant information from the patient and other sources.

Choice B reason: This is an incorrect choice because implementation is the step of the nursing process that involves carrying out the planned nursing interventions to achieve the patient's goals and outcomes. The nurse who carefully enters a new patient’s medical history and current medication list into the agency’s electronic health record (EHR) is not performing an implementation by executing any actions or treatments for the patient.

Choice C reason: This is an incorrect choice because diagnosis is the step of the nursing process that involves analyzing and interpreting the data to identify the patient's actual or potential health problems. The nurse who carefully enters a new patient’s medical history and current medication list into the agency’s electronic health record (EHR) is not performing a diagnosis by making any judgments or conclusions about the patient's condition.

Choice D reason: This is an incorrect choice because evaluation is the step of the nursing process that involves measuring and comparing the patient's progress and outcomes with the expected goals and outcomes. The nurse who carefully enters a new patient’s medical history and current medication list into the agency’s electronic health record (EHR) is not performing an evaluation by assessing any changes or improvements in the patient's status.