Word parts
What it means
A sleep problem in which the person cannot fall asleep, wakes often or too early, or wakes up unrefreshed, and it affects how they feel or function in the day. It can be short-term, after stress or a hospital stay, or long-lasting (chronic, three or more nights a week for three months or more). Pain, worry, depression, caffeine, some drugs and a noisy setting can all play a part.
For the nurse
Ask about the client's usual bedtime routine and keep to it where possible. Teach sleep hygiene: regular sleep and wake times, no caffeine late in the day, a dark, quiet room and no screens before bed. Sleep medicines can cause drowsinessDROW-zee-nisFeeling sleepy or less alert than usual.Full entry and falls, especially in older adults.
At a glance
| Spanish | insomnio |
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Related terms
sedative-hypnotic
A drug that calms a person (sedative) or helps them fall asleep (hypnotic); the same drug can do either, depending on the dose.
drowsiness
Feeling sleepy or less alert than usual.
sleep apnea
A sleep disorder in which breathing stops and starts again and again during sleep.