title: Attention-deficit disorder in children: the role of the nurse practitioner.
abstract: Attention-deficit disorder is a relatively common syndrome; it is probably the behavior disorder of childhood that primary care practitioners most frequently see. This article describes 1) the clinical picture, subtypes and possible etiologic factors involved in the disorder; 2) the diagnostic evaluation of the child who presents with symptoms suggestive of this syndrome; 3) the natural history of the disorder and its relationship to other disorders of childhood, adolescence and adult life; and 4) the management of the disorder. The nurse practitioner can play a major role in evaluating these children, in designing a proper multimodality treatment program, in making referrals for appropriate types of intervention and in monitoring the results of this multimodality therapeutic program over time.
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D009733:Nursing Diagnosis