Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)

What side effect indicates that a parent of a child with asthma needs more education regarding medication?

1. Cyndi may appear nervous and jittery after taking quick relief medication

2. Cyndi may complain of headaches as a result of her medication

3. Cyndi may vomit after taking her quick relief medication

4. Cyndi may be irritable and sleep more while adjusting to her medication

The correct answer is: Cyndi may be irritable and sleep more while adjusting to her medication

The side effect indicating that further education is needed regarding medication relates to the child being irritable and sleeping more while adjusting to her medication. This particular reaction suggests that the parent may not fully understand the normal expected effects of asthma medications, especially if they interpret sedation or increased sleepiness as a negative sign rather than a possible reaction to medication. In pediatric care, certain medications can lead to changes in behavior and sleep patterns, particularly when starting a new medication or adjusting dosages. Parents should be educated about the potential side effects of medications, and if they are unaware that irritability or increased sleep can be typical during the adjustment period, they may misinterpret these signs as concerning or harmful, leading to anxiety about the child's treatment. In contrast, the other symptoms mentioned such as nervousness and jitteriness (often associated with bronchodilators), headaches, or vomiting can be expected side effects that a parent might reasonably anticipate or have been informed about through prior education. While they can signal the need for monitoring and possibly adjustment of the treatment plan, they are not as directly indicative of a misunderstanding about the medication regimen as increased irritability and abnormal sleep patterns might represent.