YOĞUN BAKIMDA UYKU YOKSUNLUĞUNA BİR ÇÖZÜM: UYKU BANDI VE KULAKLIK

Abstract

Sleep insufficiency, deterioration of the quality of sleep, and sleep interruptions can cause sleep deprivation, and patients in intensive care units have high rates of sleep deprivation. Environmental factors are seen as the greatest cause of insomnia in intensive care, and noise and light are leading among these factors. Sleep deprivation can affect cardiovascular and respiratory functions, increase insulin resistance and sensitivity to pain, decrease growth hormone, and weaken the immune system. Sleep deprivation can also cause worry, changes in consciousness, and delirium. As a result of preventing sleep deprivation with nursing practices, patients' healing process will be positively affected. Instead of change environmental factors, it was determined that using eye masks and ear plugs is a much more economical and reliable, but less known method. Eye masks and ear plugs are possible to prevent sleep deprivation by changing the perception of the environment. According to the studies, using eye masks and ear plugs have the following benefits for the patient: the duration of REM and NREM3 increased, the rate of confusion, delirium, and the level of anxiety decreased, the level of melatonin increased, it was easier for patients to fall asleep and quality of sleep increased. In the literature, it is seen that the offering an eye mask and ear plugs are not included in normal nursing practices in the intensive care unit. The limited study in which the effect is assessed included only a low level of evidence. It is suggested that the use of eye masks and earplugs in hospitals should be extended, patients should be provided with them, and the use of eye masks and ear plugs should be offered to patients at appointed times.