Which sleep pattern would a nurse recognize as normal in preschool-aged children?

• A. Sleeping 5 to 6 hours per night with frequent nighttime awakenings
• B. Sleeping 14 to 16 hours per night with multiple naps throughout the day
• C. Sleeping 8 hours per night with no naps at all
• D. Sleeping 11 to 13 hours per night with occasional daytime naps

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the typical sleep requirements for preschool-aged children, which generally range from 3 to 5 years old.
2. Recall that preschoolers usually need about 11 to 13 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period, which can include nighttime sleep and occasional daytime naps.
3. Evaluate the given options by comparing them to the typical sleep duration and patterns for this age group.
4. Recognize that sleeping 5 to 6 hours is insufficient and not typical for preschoolers, and that 14 to 16 hours with multiple naps is more characteristic of infants or toddlers rather than preschoolers.
5. Conclude that the normal sleep pattern for preschool-aged children is sleeping 11 to 13 hours per night with occasional daytime naps, as this aligns with developmental sleep needs.