A 10-Year-Old Patient Will Be Started on Methylphenidate Hydrochloride (Ritalin)

question 2

Multiple Choice

A 10-year-old patient will be started on methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin) therapy. The nurse will perform which essential baseline assessment before this drug is started?

• A) Eye examination
• B) Height and weight
• C) Liver function studies
• D) Hearing test

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Definitions:

Early Childhood

A developmental period in human life, typically considered to be from birth to around 8 years old, characterized by rapid physical, cognitive, and emotional growth.

Intelligence Quotient

A measure of a person's mental agility or intelligence, quantified usually through standardized tests.

Handedness

The preference for using one hand over the other for performing activities, usually categorized as right-handed, left-handed, or ambidextrous.

No Hand Preference

The absence of a strong preference for the use of one hand over the other, uncommon in the general population.