The sleep pattern characterized by interrupted patterns is which term?

The sleep pattern characterized by interrupted patterns is which term?

• A. Fragmented Sleep
• B. Delayed Onset of Sleep
• C. NREM Sleep
• D. REM

Answer: (A)

Fragmented sleep describes a pattern where sleep is repeatedly interrupted by brief awakenings or periods of wakefulness, so the person cannot maintain continuous sleep through the night. This leads to nonrestorative sleep and daytime fatigue, and it is a common issue in older adults due to factors like nocturia, pain, or medications. It differs from delayed onset of sleep, which is trouble falling asleep at the beginning of the night rather than staying asleep. NREM sleep and REM refer to stages of sleep, not the continuity of the sleep episode; fragmentation describes the interruptions themselves. Therefore, the term that fits interrupted sleep patterns is fragmented sleep.

Fragmented sleep describes a pattern where sleep is repeatedly interrupted by brief awakenings or periods of wakefulness, so the person cannot maintain continuous sleep through the night. This leads to nonrestorative sleep and daytime fatigue, and it is a common issue in older adults due to factors like nocturia, pain, or medications. It differs from delayed onset of sleep, which is trouble falling asleep at the beginning of the night rather than staying asleep. NREM sleep and REM refer to stages of sleep, not the continuity of the sleep episode; fragmentation describes the interruptions themselves. Therefore, the term that fits interrupted sleep patterns is fragmented sleep.