Child psychiatry: 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

Sample item

An 8-year-old boy has been inattentive, constantly fidgeting and impulsive at school and at home for over a year, and his grades are falling. Which drug is considered first-line?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Methylphenidate

The picture fits attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which must be present across more than one setting. Stimulants such as methylphenidate are first-line pharmacotherapy, and atomoxetine is a non-stimulant alternative. Behavioural measures are used alongside medication.

Option by option

  • A. Methylphenidate (correct)

    Correct. Stimulants improve attention and reduce impulsivity in ADHD.

  • B. Haloperidol

    Haloperidol is an antipsychotic and is not a treatment for ADHD.

  • C. Diazepam

    Diazepam is a sedative that can worsen disinhibition in children and does not treat ADHD.

  • D. Lithium carbonate

    Lithium is a mood stabiliser and is not used to treat ADHD.

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.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is A, Methylphenidate. The picture fits attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which must be present across more than one setting.

Why is "Haloperidol" not the answer?

Haloperidol is an antipsychotic and is not a treatment for ADHD.

Why is "Diazepam" not the answer?

Diazepam is a sedative that can worsen disinhibition in children and does not treat ADHD.

Why is "Lithium carbonate" not the answer?

Lithium is a mood stabiliser and is not used to treat ADHD.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Child psychiatry in Psychiatry. Stimulants such as methylphenidate are first-line pharmacotherapy, and atomoxetine is a non-stimulant alternative. Behavioural measures are used alongside medication.

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?

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.