Sleep disturbance in children recovering from traumatic brain injury presents a significant challenge for nurses in paediatric neuroscience. This article aims to increase the understanding of the normal physiology of sleep and uses a paediatric case study to contrast this with the pathophysiology of sleep in patients who suffer sleep disturbance as a result of severe head injury. The long-term effects of sleep disturbance are discussed and analysis of recent literature is used to explore the nursing management of this problem. The article concludes by putting forward several strategies to facilitate the management of this patient group, including nurse education.
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