Primary care assessment and management of sleep disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To review the functions of sleep and describe an appropriate sleep assessment for the identification of sleep disorders for nurse practitioners (NP) in primary care. Guidelines for management and referral are included.


METHODS
Selected and the author's experience.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of sleep deprivation in the United States is generally unacknowledge by the public as well as health care professional. Unfortunately, the castastrophic and debilitating consequences that result from alterations in sleep are usually noted after significant physical and emotional damage have occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
An assessment of sleep hygiene and the physical, emotional, or lifestyle changes that alter sleep patterns should be a part of the NP's routine encounter with patients. Referral is indicated for suspicion of obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, complex motor activity, or if the condition fails to respond to therapeutic management.
Elliott
A C
AC
Bluegrass Farmworker Health Center Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY. acellio@hotmail.com
D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012890:Sleep; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*