The school nurse is administering methylphenidate (Ritalin) to an adolescent is diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
The adolescent is noncompliant with coming to the nurse's office at noon for the medication. Which does the nurse suspect as the cause of the adolescent's noncompliance with the current medication regimen?
A) The adolescent may fear that this drug may be a "gateway drug" that may lead to abusing other substances.
B) An additional dose of medication is not needed while at school.
C) Alternative coping mechanisms to increase focus during classes have been developed.
D) The adolescent may be embarrassed about having to take medicine at school and fear a social stigma.
Answer: D
Some adolescent clients believe that having to take drugs in school will cause them to be viewed as weak, unhealthy, or dependent. Clients can also perceive this as a social stigma. Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is a short-acting drug and doses must be administered about 4 hours apart, so the client must receive a dose during school hours. ADHD is a brain-based disorder, and the primary treatment is medication; alternative coping mechanisms will not usually help to increase focus during classes. Appropriate treatment of ADHD will result in lessening the likelihood for addiction to mood-altering substances, not an increase in the likelihood.
You might also like to view...
Induration, edema and hyperpigmentation are common associated findings with which of the following?
a. Peripheral arterial disease b. Venous ulcer c. Arterial embolic disease d. Venous thrombus
A life-threatening condition is recognized with the assessment of:
a. pain with downward pressure on both an-terior superior iliac spines. b. guarding and intense pain with deep pal-pation of the abdomen. c. distant and muffled heart sounds, with distended neck veins. d. severe throbbing pain in one eye, with photophobia.
The client asks the nurse what the first number given in a blood pressure stands for. What is the best response by the nurse?
1. "The first number is the diastolic pressure." 2. "The first number is the heart rate." 3. "The first number is the pulse pressure." 4. "The first number is the systolic pressure."
The nurse plans to teach a class on anabolic steroids to a group of high school athletes. What will the best plan by the nurse include?
1. The use of anabolic steroids can lead to infertility. 2. Your entire body is affected by anabolic steroids, especially your liver. 3. The use of anabolic steroids is the most effective way to increase muscle mass. 4. The use of anabolic steroids should be monitored by your doctor. 5. The use of anabolic steroids can lead to very aggressive behavior.