Complete the following sentence by choosing from the list of options. Central nervous system stimulants can be used to treat dropdown and dropdown.
Explanation & Rationale
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Central nervous system stimulants increase the availability of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, which improves attention, focus, and impulse control. These medications help regulate activity in the prefrontal cortex, an area involved in executive functioning. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamines are first-line therapy for ADHD across age groups. • migraine headaches: Certain central nervous system stimulants can be used adjunctively to help manage migraine headaches by promoting vasoconstriction and enhancing analgesic effectiveness. Stimulants may improve alertness and reduce migraine-associated fatigue. In some cases, they are included in combination therapies for headache management. • anorexia nervosa: Central nervous system stimulants suppress appetite, which can worsen the restrictive eating behaviors seen in anorexia nervosa. Use of these medications may increase weight loss and psychological fixation on thinness. This class of drugs is contraindicated in eating disorders due to risk of severe nutritional compromise. • recurrent seizures: Stimulants lower the seizure threshold and can increase the frequency or severity of seizures. They are avoided in clients with uncontrolled seizure disorders. Management of seizures relies on antiepileptic medications rather than agents that increase CNS activity. Using stimulants in this population increases neurologic risk. • post-traumatic stress disorder: PTSD is primarily treated with psychotherapy and medications that reduce anxiety, hyperarousal, and intrusive thoughts. CNS stimulants can exacerbate anxiety, insomnia, and agitation in these clients. They do not address the core pathophysiology of trauma-related disorders. Use may worsen symptoms rather than provide benefit. • chronic hypertension: Central nervous system stimulants increase sympathetic nervous system activity, leading to elevated heart rate and blood pressure. Their use can worsen hypertension and increase cardiovascular risk. Antihypertensive therapy aims to reduce, not stimulate, adrenergic activity. Therefore, stimulants are not appropriate for chronic blood pressure management.