A patient has been in the intensive care unit for a week receiving various procedures throughout the ...

Correct Answer: 2,4,5
Rationale 1: The patient is physiologically stable.
Rationale 2: Since it is important for the patient to get rest, an order for sleep medication would be appropriate.
Rationale 3: It is not necessary to assess the patient's vital signs, since the patient is physiologically stable.
Rationale 4: When deprived of REM sleep, people experience a sleep debt and become frightened, irritable, paranoid, and even emotionally disturbed. It is speculated that to make up for their lack of dreaming, these persons experience far more daydreaming and fantasizing throughout the day. It is important to institute measures that promote restful sleep.
Rationale 5: When deprived of REM sleep, people experience a sleep debt and become frightened, irritable, paranoid, and even emotionally disturbed. It is important to institute measures that promote restful sleep, which would include scheduling tests and procedures so as to not disturb the patient's sleep.