Child psychiatry: ADHD: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Child psychiatry: ADHD

Sample item

For more than six months, a child has impairing inattention and hyperactive-impulsive behavior at both home and school, with onset before age 12. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

ADHD requires a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that impairs functioning in at least two settings, with several symptoms before age 12. Information from more than one observer is valuable.

Option by option

  • A. Selective mutism

    Selective mutism is failure to speak in specific social situations despite speaking elsewhere.

  • B. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (correct)

    Correct. Cross-setting impairment and developmental onset support ADHD.

  • C. Conduct disorder

    Conduct disorder requires repeated violation of the rights of others or major rules.

  • D. Specific learning disorder

    Specific learning disorder is a circumscribed academic skill deficit.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Psychiatry questions

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. ADHD requires a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that impairs functioning in at least two settings, with several symptoms before age 12.

Why is "Selective mutism" not the answer?

Selective mutism is failure to speak in specific social situations despite speaking elsewhere.

Why is "Conduct disorder" not the answer?

Conduct disorder requires repeated violation of the rights of others or major rules.

Why is "Specific learning disorder" not the answer?

Specific learning disorder is a circumscribed academic skill deficit.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Child psychiatry: ADHD in Psychiatry. Information from more than one observer is valuable.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Child psychiatry: ADHD?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.