Question

• You are working with a new RN who has been employed on your unit for two months. She has recently begun course work for an advanced degree, and has been offering to work extra shifts to pay her tuition.
  • Identify one (1) acute and one (1) chronic effect of sleep loss that could impact the RN’s health, and describe precautions you would suggest for prevention.
  • Discuss how sleep prevention in healthcare providers can lead to patient harm.

Answer 1

Answer: Sleep is important for our body. It provides energy to our brain. Sleep acts a fuel for our brain and hence enable us to perform our work properly.

The acute effect of not getting proper sleep involves:

• Serious health problems
• Depression
• Irritation
• Unable to concentrate on work.
• Forgetfulness.

The chronic effect of sleep deprivation are:

• Heart attacks
• Hypertension
• Strokes
• Illusions
• Weak immune system
• Memory loss.

It is important to have a sound sleep. This enables brain to function properly. Time management should be done to achieve better sleeping hours.

Sleep deprivation can harm patient as it increases the risk of medical error. Due to inabr of brain to function properly, healthcare professionals becomes unable to think clearly or take any kind of decision. This reduces quality of care provided to the patients.