ABSTRACT
Sleep deprivation continues to be a major problem for patients in hospital. This problem has been compounded by a historical lack of interest in the topic both in terms of literature and nursing intervention. Often, sleep is an overlooked and neglected aspect of the plan of care (Honkus, 2003). The facilitation of sleep is one of the main duties of the nurse at night-time. Sleep deprivation may be viewed as an inevitable part of acute/critical illness. Despite this, nurses have an influence over the patient’s environment and hold a responsibility to promote as much sleep as possible. Adequate sleep is essential for these patients as the effects of sleep deprivation can have detrimental consequences on their already compromised well-being. This chapter will discuss the normal physiology of sleep, pathophysiology of sleep deprivation and strategies to promote sleep. Little new material appears to be available and, therefore, older research remains relevant and so used in this chapter.
