A young client was recently started on Ritalin LA, a CNS stimulant, for treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). His mother tells the nurse that she is concerned because her son has had difficulty sleeping after he started taking the medication. What information can the nurse share with her?

Question

a. Insomnia may be a side effect from the methylphenidate and is sometimes remedied by taking the medication, as prescribed, early in the day.
b. There is no need to report this to the health care practitioner, as it is an expected side effect.
c. Parents of children with ADHD need to be strict and set firm limits by enforcing an early bedtime.
d. The mother can try cutting the pill in half and giving her child half the dosage instead of the whole pill.

Answer 1

a. Insomnia may be a side effect from the methylphenidate and is sometimes remedied by taking the medication, as prescribed, early in the day.
FEEDBACK:
a. Insomnia may be a side effect from Ritalin LA and is sometimes remedied by taking the medication, as prescribed, early in the day.
b. This complaint should be reported to the health care practitioner, even though it may be an anticipated side effect. .
c. This statement is judgmental and blames parenting style as the cause of ADHD.
d. LA formulations cannot be cut or crushed. .