Comfort Measures

Sleep, Comfort and Rest

Why do we need rest and sleep?

1. Rest and sleep are fundamental

components of wellbeing.
2. All individuals require certain periods of
calm and lesser activity so that their
bodies can regain energy and rebuild
stamina.
REST

• Rest refers to a state of relaxation

and calmness, both mental and
physical.
SLEEP

a) Sleep refers to a state of altered consciousness

during which an individual experiences minimal
physical activity and a general slowing of the
body’s physiological processes.
b) Sleep generally occurs in a periodic cycle and
usually lasts for several hours at a time.
c) Sleep is necessary for physiological and
psychological healing to occur.
Factors Affecting Rest & Sleep
1. Degree of Comfort

• Whenever basic needs are unmet, the

person experiences discomfort which
leads to physiological tension, anxiety,
and potential impairments in sleep /
rest.
1. Anxiety

• A restless body and mind interfere

with the ability to sleep.
• Anxiety often results in difficulty
in falling or staying sleep.
1. Environment

• Environmental factors can either

enhance or impair sleep.
• Lighting, temperature, odors,
ventilation, and noise level can all
interrupt the sleep process.
1. Lifestyle

• A fast-paced life filled with

multiple stressors can result in the
person’s inability to relax easily or
to fall asleep quickly.
1. Lifestyle

• Another lifestyle factor that

interferes with sleep is having a
work schedule that does not
coincide with an individual’s
biological clock.
1. Diet

• The type of food consumed has an

impact on the quality and quantity
of sleep.
1. Diet

• Foods high in caffeine serve as stimulants.

• Consuming a large, heavy, spicy meal
before bedtime may cause indigestion,
which will likely interfere with sleep.
1. Diet

• Going to bed hungry can also result in sleep

problems because the individual may be
preoccupied with food and hunger pangs
instead of concentrating on sleep.
1. Drugs & Other Substances

• Alcohol and nicotine use can impair sleep.

• Small amounts of alcohol can make some
people fall asleep, in others alcohol may
interfere with sleep.
1. Drugs & Other Substances

• Nicotine, a stimulant, can also interfere

sleep cycle by stimulating the body,
resulting in difficulty in falling and staying
asleep.
1. Drugs & Other Substances

• Many medications cause fatigue,

sleepiness, restlessness, agitation, insomia,
affecting the quality and quantity of rest and
sleep.
Illness or Hospitalization
Illness or Hospitalization

• The stress imposed by illness

usually disrupts sleep.
• Sleep is especially disrupted when
a person is hospitalized.
Factors Associated w/ Hospitalization
that lead to sleep impairment:
1. Physical or emotional pain
2. Loss of familiar surroundings
3. Loss of routine
4. Fear of the unknown
5. Timing of procedures or treatment
6. Noise level (especially unfamiliar noises)
7. Loss of privacy
Comfort Needs
Physical Comfort Needs

• Physical comfort needs relate to bodily

sensations and the physiologic problems
associated with the medical diagnosis.
Psychospiritual Comfort Needs

• Psychospiritual needs relate to the internal

awareness of self, including esteem,
concept, sexuality, and meaning to life.
Social Comfort Needs

• Social comfort needs relate to the

interpersonal, family and social
relationships
Environmental Comfort Needs

• Environmental comfort needs relate to the

external background of human experience
that can include light, noise, ambiance,
color, temperature.
Comfort Measures
Comfort Measures

Comfort measures may be provided both

directly to the client and indirectly through
other personnel, family or environment.
1. Indirect Actions that promote
Comfort
• Maintaining a quiet • Supporting the client’s
environment family members or
• Coordinating activities significant others.
w/ other staff
1. Comfort care may require
simple actions...
• Providing a warm blanket
• Offering a cup of tea
• Applying lotion to dry skin
1. Comfort measures also encompasses the
client’s psychospiritual, social &
environmental realms.

• Talking in soothing tones

• Acknowledging client’s feelings
• Offering your presence
1. Create a Relaxing
Environment
• Arranging the immediate surroundings to
promote sleep
• A place of sleep should be inviting and
relaxing
1. Initiate Relaxation
Techniques
• Yoga
• Deep breathing
• Music Therapy
• Back massage
1. Ensure Appropriate Nutrition

• Drinking milk promotes sleep

• Restrict a heavy meal close to bedtime
• Refraining from eating spicy or other foods
that cause G.I. Distress
• Avoiding caffeine in the afternoon
1. Initiate Pharmacologic
Interventions
• If unrelieved pain is a factor in the client’s
sleep disturbance, pain management should
be the focus of initial interventions.
• Some medications are also prescribed to
patient’s to help them sleep.
8. Provide Educaiton

• Educating the person on sleep-promoting

activities.
• Ask the person to help themselves for
relaxation & gaining confidence that they
can successfully meet their sleep and rest
needs.
The End