PGIMER Chandigarh NO - 2015
Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics)
Easy

which drugs may be used in children to treat enuresis?

Appeared in: PGIMER Chandigarh NO - 2015

Explanation

  • Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as imipramine, are FDA-approved for treating nocturnal enuresis in children.
  • The mechanism of action is thought to be related to their anticholinergic properties, which help relax the bladder muscle, thereby increasing its capacity.
  • TCAs may also alter sleep patterns, leading to lighter sleep, which can help the child awaken to the sensation of a full bladder.
  • They are generally considered a second or third-line treatment option after behavioral interventions and other medications like desmopressin have been tried.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: Hypnotics (sleeping pills) are not used to treat enuresis. While they induce sleep, they can deepen it, making it even harder for a child to wake up to void, potentially worsening the problem.
  • Option C: Anti-anxiety drugs are not a standard treatment for primary nocturnal enuresis. Enuresis is typically a developmental or physiological issue, not primarily an anxiety-driven one.
  • Option D: Major tranquilizers, or antipsychotics, are powerful medications used for severe psychiatric conditions like psychosis or bipolar disorder. They are not indicated for enuresis and have a significant side effect profile.

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Pharmacological treatment for pediatric enuresis as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • The nurse's primary role is patient and family education, especially regarding the high risk of cardiotoxicity with TCA overdose. Emphasize that the medication must be stored securely away from children.
  • Monitor for and educate parents about potential side effects, including dry mouth, constipation, drowsiness, and mood changes.
  • Reinforce that medication is often a temporary solution and works best when combined with behavioral strategies like fluid restriction in the evening and scheduled voiding.
How to Approach the Question
  • First, identify the core of the question: It asks for a drug class used to treat enuresis in children.
  • This is a factual recall question. Access your knowledge about the common treatments for pediatric bedwetting.
  • Evaluate each option. Consider the primary use for each drug class.
  • Recall that while behavioral therapy is first-line, certain medications are used as second-line options. Desmopressin and tricyclic antidepressants are the most well-known.
  • Compare your recalled knowledge with the options provided. 'Tricyclic antidepressants' is a direct match.
  • Eliminate the other options by confirming their primary indications (hypnotics for sleep, anti-anxiety for anxiety, major tranquilizers for psychosis), which do not include enuresis.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Pharmacological treatment for pediatric enuresis.
  • Stem keywords: drugs, children, enuresis
  • Lead-in keywords: which

Question ID

Qiro0_X674B6soPKlGtKov

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) pp. 12849-12851, 13282-13284

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 2 p. 1099-1101

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