Question

scenario: a 13-year-old patient with adhd is experiencing significant weight loss on a stimulant medication. question: what strategy can help manage this side effect? increase the dose of the stimulant. add a high-calorie supplement to the diet. switch to a different stimulant medication. discontinue the stimulant and try behavioral therapy alone.

Explanation:

• Increasing the stimulant dose (first option) would likely worsen weight loss as stimulants can suppress appetite.
• Switching to another stimulant (third option) may not resolve the weight loss issue since most stimulants have similar appetite - suppressing effects.
• Discontinuing the stimulant and using only behavioral therapy (fourth option) is not ideal as stimulants are often effective for ADHD, and behavioral therapy alone may not be sufficient for symptom control in many cases.
• Adding a high - calorie supplement to the diet (second option) directly addresses the weight loss by providing additional calories to counteract the appetite suppression caused by the stimulant, making it a practical and targeted strategy.

Answer:

B. Add a high - calorie supplement to the diet.