To promote sleep in a client with depression, which instruction should the nurse give?

• A. Drink a glass of wine 1 hour before bed
• B. Eat a meal just prior to bedtime
• C. You should limit yourself to two caffeinated beverages per day
• D. You should take a nap after lunch

Answer: (C)

Sleep quality is often a key factor in mood and energy for someone with depression, so choosing behaviors that minimize sleep disruption is important. Caffeine is a stimulant that blocks adenosine, a chemical that helps us feel sleepy. Because caffeine can linger for many hours, consuming multiple caffeinated drinks can make it harder to fall asleep, increase awakenings during the night, and reduce the restorative quality of sleep. Limiting intake to two caffeinated beverages per day reduces this stimulant effect enough to help the person fall asleep more easily and sleep more soundly, which supports mood and daytime functioning.

The other options tend to hinder sleep: alcohol may help with initial relaxation but disrupts sleep architecture and causes later awakenings; eating a meal right before bed can cause indigestion or discomfort that interferes with sleep; a nap after lunch can reduce the drive to sleep at night, making it harder to sleep when intended.