A patient's vital signs are significantly lower than normal while sleeping.The nurse understands this to be a normal finding when the patient is in what stage of the sleep cycle?

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Vital signs are significantly lower in stage 4 sleep than during waking hours.During stage 1,a gradual fall in vital signs and metabolism begins; during stage 2,body functions continue to slow; during stage 3,vital signs decline but remain regular.During stage 4,vital signs significantly lower.A healthy adult's normal heart rate throughout the day averages 70 to 80 beats per minute.However,during sleep the heart rate normally falls to 60 beats per minute or less,thus preserving cardiac function.Other biological functions decreased during sleep are respirations,blood pressure,and muscle tone.

A Patient's Vital Signs Are Significantly Lower Than Normal While