A nurse is caring for four children in an emergency department. Which of the following clients should the nurse assess first?

A. Insomnia: While insomnia can be a side effect of sertraline, it is not typically associated with serotonin syndrome. However, if the insomnia is severe or accompanied by other symptoms of serotonin syndrome, it should be reported to the healthcare provider.
B. Constipation: Constipation is a common side effect of sertraline but is not indicative of serotonin syndrome. It is important to monitor for constipation and manage it appropriately but not as an indicator of serotonin syndrome.
C. Dry mouth: Dry mouth is another common side effect of sertraline but is not specific to serotonin syndrome. While uncomfortable, it does not typically require immediate reporting unless severe or accompanied by other concerning symptoms.
D. Excessive sweating: Excessive sweating, also known as diaphoresis, is a hallmark symptom of serotonin syndrome. It is a significant indicator of serotonin toxicity and should be reported immediately to the healthcare provider for further evaluation and management.

A. Decreased impulsiveness: Methylphenidate is a central nervous system stimulant commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. One of the therapeutic effects of methylphenidate is the reduction of impulsiveness, hyperactivity, and inattention, which are hallmark symptoms of ADHD. Therefore, a decrease in impulsiveness would indicate that the medication is effective.
B. Increased urine output: Methylphenidate is not expected to affect urine output. Increased urine output is not a typical finding indicating the effectiveness of methylphenidate.
C. Increased appetite: Methylphenidate commonly causes appetite suppression as a side effect. Therefore, an increase in appetite would not be indicative of the medication's effectiveness. In fact, a decrease in appetite is a common adverse effect of methylphenidate.
D. Decreased abdominal pain: Methylphenidate is not typically used to treat abdominal pain, and its effectiveness is not evaluated based on the relief of abdominal pain. The primary therapeutic effect of methylphenidate in ADHD is the improvement of attention, focus, and impulse control. Therefore, decreased abdominal pain would not be a reliable indicator of the medication's effectiveness.