The health care provider is seeing a 16-year-old boy at the local clinic.The guardian is concerned about the patient's lack of sleep.The guardian states that the patient "goes to school,works at a part-time job until 10 PM,and then stays up doing homework until after midnight.I am worried that he is not getting enough sleep." What is the best response for the health care provider to give the patient and his guardian?

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Adolescents need between 8 11ea1a5c_b889_98a2_ab1a_e911dd2ee243_TB1105_11 and 9 11ea1a5c_b889_bfb3_ab1a_99c309c59e22_TB1105_11 hours of sleep each night; however,the typical teenager gets about 7 11ea1a5c_b889_bfb4_ab1a_599baa26e558_TB1105_11 hours of sleep per night.At a time when sleep needs actually increase,the typical adolescent is subject to a number of changes that often reduce the time spent sleeping,such as the time when school starts,after-school social events,part-time jobs,and extracurricular activities.The shortened sleep time in adolescents often results in excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS),which can reduce performance in school,increase risk of accidents,increase the use of alcohol,and lead to behavior and mood problems.Sleep deprivation affects immune functioning,metabolism,nitrogen balance,protein catabolism,and quality of life.Saying,"I don't get enough sleep either" or "You need to discuss this with the primary health care provider" is not focusing on the guardian's question.Saying the boy "will be fine" is false reassurance.

The Health Care Provider Is Seeing a 16-Year-Old Boy at the Local