A child is starting methylphenidate for ADHD. What should the nurse teach the parents?

A. Give the medication in the morning and monitor the child's appetite and growth
B. Give extra doses on weekends to catch up
C. Stop the medication if the child loses 1 lb
D. Give the medication at bedtime to help with sleep

Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A

Stimulants are given early in the day to avoid insomnia. They can decrease appetite and slow growth, so weight and height are monitored.

Source: FDA label: Ritalin (methylphenidate), DailyMed

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Learn high-alert drugs by their hold parameters and antidotes: digoxin, warfarin (vitamin K), heparin (protamine), opioids (naloxone), insulin, potassium.
Do 10 dosage calculations a day: tablets, liquids, mL/hr, gtt/min, mg/kg, and units/hr. Convert units first, round last.

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A child is starting methylphenidate for ADHD. What should the nurse teach the parents?

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