NURS 6660 final Exam
There is a high incidence of overlap among children with bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder, conduct disorder, and anxiety disorders. Which of the following manic symptoms o
...
NURS 6660 final Exam
There is a high incidence of overlap among children with bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder, conduct disorder, and anxiety disorders. Which of the following manic symptoms of bipolar
disorder are most closely correlated to conduct disorder?
A. Insomnia and irritability
B. Physical restlessness and poor judgment
C. Hallucinations and overeating
D. Hypersexuality and inattention
Margaret is a 14-year-old girl being seen in follow-up for major depressive disorder. She has been on a
therapeutic dose of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for 3 months and has still failed to
achieve remission. Consistent with the Texas Children’s Medication Algorithm Project (TMAP), the next
action should be to:
Ms. Stevenson is a 21-year-old woman who brings her 3-week-old infant to the PMHNP for an “emergency”
evaluation. Ms. Stevenson has a 2-year-old who was diagnosed with rumination disorder when he was 10
months old and had to be hospitalized for tube feedings while the family started treatment. Ms. Stevenson is
worried now because her new baby vomits every time he eats; she is afraid he has the same thing. The
PMHNP counsels Ms. Stevenson that:
A. Rumination does not run in families and it is unlikely that the new baby has this rare disorder.
B. The baby needs to be evaluated for pyloric stenosis and should be referred to his pediatrician.
C. The family will likely benefit from the same psychotherapeutic interventions that were used with the
older child.
D. They will begin with a nutritional assessment to see if the new baby needs a feeding tube.
Justin is a 12-year-old male who was recently diagnosed with schizophrenia. He was quickly placed into a
highly regarded assessment and treatment program and began pharmacotherapy and cognitive behavioral
therapy. His parents have had a difficult time with the diagnosis as Justin has always been very healthy, a
good school performer, and has never had any developmental concerns or delays. However, they are very
supportive and committed to his recovery. Justin has been on an atypical antipsychotic for 1 month with no
intolerable adverse effects. When counseling Justin’s parents about the prognosis, the PMHNP advises the
parents that which of the following is more correlated with good outcomes in patients like Justin?
A. His age at the time of diagnosis
B. The absence of family history
C. Justin’s level of function before diagnosis
D. Tolerance of antipsychotic medicationWhen considering a diagnosis of developmental coordination disorder, the PMHNP knows that the diagnosis
may be associated with:
A. Above-average scores on performance subtests of standardized intelligence testing
B. Below-average scores on verbal subtests of standardized intelligence testing
C. Soft neurologic signs on physical examination such as slight reflex abnormalities
D. Physical findings consistent with neuromuscular disease such as muscular dystrophy
The PMHNP is developing a brief informational pamphlet on gender dysphoria to distribute at a local mental
health awareness event for the general public. The “basic facts” section of the pamphlet correctly states that:
A. The majority of children who demonstrate nonconforming gender behavior in childhood grow up to be
transgender adults
B. The ratio of gender dysphoria in adolescent boys and girls is equal
C. A genetic basis for gender dysphoria has been identified
D. Diagnostic criteria for gender dysphoria is the same across the lifespan
The PMHNP is working with rural primary care providers to increase awareness of mental health disorders in
infancy and early childhood. The program includes a session on screening for feeding disorders in infants. If
an infant is either observed by the provider or reported by the parent to frequently suck the tongue
rhythmically or appear to strain with his or her back arched and then swallow, the examiner should consider
the possibility of:
A. Gastroesophageal reflux disease
B. Failure to thrive
C. Iron deficiency
D. Inadequate emotional attachment
The leading cause of death in youths living in juvenile residential facilities is:
A. Suicide
B. Accident
C. Homicide
D. Illness
American Adoption Congress represents the shared interests of the adoption tria
Confidentiality is a complex topic in the world of child and adolescent psychiatry. The last 40 to 50 years have
been characterized by increased attention to this issue and the publication of various ethical codes andpractice position statements by professional organizations. Which of the following is not a true statement
with respect to confidentiality of the child or adolescent client?
A. The PMHNP should not be concerned with consent for disclosure when child abuse or maltreatment has
occurred.
B. In 1979, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) stated that children 12 years of age or older can give
consent for disclosure.
C. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) Code of Ethics states that consent is
not required for disclosure.
D. Regardless of code or position statement by any organization, the best approach is when the child and
PMHNP agree on disclosure.
Katelyn is a16-year-old girl who presents for therapy with her mother and father. Katelyn was born with
male genitalia but has felt like a female “all of her life.” She says she knew something was different as far back
as she can remember. She always wanted to wear her mother’s clothes and makeup and play with other girls.
Katelyn started dressing and openly identifying as a girl when she was 13 years old, and her parents are
trying to be supportive but they are struggling. Most recently Katelyn has developed an intimate partner
relationship with Jennifer, a 15-year-old girl who was gender-assigned female at birth and identifies as a
female. Katelyn’s father does not understand the relationship. The PMHNP explains that Katelyn:
A. Is responding to the male hormonal surges of puberty and will ultimately identify with her physiologic
gender
B. Does not have a clear sense of gender identity and may be a candidate for reparative therapy to correct
her gender identity issues
C. Is a transgender female who identifies as lesbian
D. Is a heterosexual male with transvestic disorder
While counseling the parents of Joshua, a 9-year-old patient with developmental coordination disorder, the
PMHNP advised that the treatment will include:
A. Modified physical education
B. Cognitive behavioral interventions
C. Group sports participation
D. Computer-generated developmental exercises
Cyclothymic disorder I forgot to put the question, but it is on this disorder
Benjamin is a 4-year-old male who is being evaluated because his mom is afraid that he may be
schizophrenic. There is a history of schizophrenia in the mother’s family; her maternal aunt, one sister, and
one of her brother’s children were all diagnosed with schizophrenia. Today she reports that Benjamin has
episodes during which he appears to be hallucinating. Sometimes he seems to see things that aren’t there, and
other times he actually talks with and plays with imaginary people. The PMHNP continues to gatherinformation from the mother and Benjamin and plans to do some observation of Benjamin during play. When
considering a diagnosis of early-onset schizophrenia, the PMHNP considers all of the following except:
A. There are virtually no reports of schizophrenia onset before age 5
B. Hallucinations are significantly more predictive of schizophrenia than delusions in young children
C. Benjamin’s symptoms are more likely a consequence of developmental immaturity
D. Benjamin’s family history should always be considered, but at this point the diagnosis is very unlikely
Susan is a 12-year-old girl who is referred for psychiatric evaluation because she is having social problems at
school. She is always picked last for teams in physical education, and she is becoming exceedingly depressed
about the lack of social interaction at school. A detailed history reveals that Susan has always had delayed
developmental milestones, including delayed sitting without support and transferring objects hand to hand.
She did not walk until she was 20 months old, and for years afterward had persistent issues with falling. Now,
at age 12, she is having trouble with her handwriting. The PMHNP considers which of the following diagnoses
as most likely?
A. Disorder of written expression
B. Autism spectrum disorder
C. Developmental coordination disorder
D. Learning disorder not otherwise specified
The PMHNP is working with a pediatrician colleague on a journal article to increase awareness and improve
diagnostic strategies for early-onset bipolar disorder. Based upon a review of the longitudinal research on
this disorder, the literature review of this article should include all the following except:
A. Recovery rates are lower when bipolar disorder has an early-childhood onset
B. Early-onset bipolar disorder presents a greater likelihood of mixed states and rapid cycling as compared
to adolescent and adult onset
C. Higher socioeconomic status and lifetime psychosis are predictors of more rapid cycling in early-onset
bipolar disorder
D. There is a more frequent conversion from bipolar II to bipolar I in childhood as compared to adults
Cameron is a 7-year-old boy who has been diagnosed with ADHD and started on psychostimulants. Two
months later there has been no meaningful improvement of symptoms, and he is referred from primary care
to a PMHNP. While reviewing his records, the PMHNP notes that Cameron has been living with his aunt and
uncle and their four children since the death of his mother 6 months ago. Cameron, who reportedly was
always a happy and well-adjusted only child, developed symptoms shortly after these major life changes. His
symptoms were characterized primarily by temper tantrums and an inability to sit still. He is not functioning
well in school and is having repeated stomachaches and headaches. The PMHNP considers that the most
appropriate action would be to stop the psychostimulant and assess Cameron for:
A. Bipolar I disorderB. Agitated depression
C. Dysthymic disorder
D. Cyclothymic disorder
The PMHNP is treating Pam, a 13-year-old female, for moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder. In
addition to cognitive behavioral therapy, the PMHNP discusses with the patient and her father the plan to
begin sertraline, 50 mg daily, then titrate the dose up when tolerance is established. Pam’s father has
researched this medication and is concerned because he read about the risk of increased suicidal ideation.
The most appropriate response is to tell Pam’s father that:
A. His research is correct and they can use another drug class if he is more comfortable with that
B. The risk is actually decreased when sertraline is used with cognitive behavioral therapy
C. More recent research suggests that this is not accurate and that treatment actually decreases risk of
suicide
D. Sertraline is the only drug in its class indicated for adolescents and it does not carry this risk
An astute pediatrician has referred Kyle, a 5-month-old infant, for evaluation of rumination disorder. His
mother was concerned because he seemed to “want” to regurgitate every time he ate and would even seem to
“put his hand down his throat” in order to stimulate regurgitation. Kyle had a thorough evaluation and
according to the pediatrician did not have gastroesophageal reflux or hiatal hernia. The mother-infant
relationship appeared to be healthy and, via assessment, the PMHNP could not identify any clear emotional
issues. The primary treatment strategy for Kyle will likely focus on:
A. Aversive therapies, e.g., squirting lemon juice into Kyle’s mouth when he ruminates
B. Medication therapies to include trials of first-line agents such as metoclopramine, cimetidine, or
haloperidol
C. Psychotherapy for the parents
D. Habit-reversal therapies
emediation therapy for her reading disorder.
Debbie is a 10-year-old female who has been referred to remediation therapy for her reading disorder. While
designing her treatment program, the PMHNP knows that the most current strategies are characterized by:
A. An Individual Education Program (IEP) provided by the public school system
B. Continuous practice with flash cards, workbooks, and computer games
C. Focusing the child’s attention to the connections between speech sounds and spelling
D. Direct practice in spelling and sentence writing and review of grammatical rules
Roshan is a fourth grader who is being evaluated for poor scholastic performance in mathematics. He has
always been a happy, healthy child, has socialized with friends at school, and presents no behavioral concerns
at home. However, his math performance has always been below the average for his grade, and now he isperforming so far below his peers that he is really beginning to be upset about it. While being evaluated for a
learning disorder, the PMHNP appreciates that Roshan has had a marked deficit in his ability to recognize and
understand symbols and order clusters of numbers. This suggests a deficit in:
A. Linguistic skills
B. Perceptual skills
C. Mathematic skills
D. Attention skills
Which of the following statements best characterized the treatment course and progression of bulimia
nervosa?
A. Cognitive behavioral therapy is considered the benchmark, first-line treatment.
B. Antidepressant medications have not been demonstrated to be effective.
C. The majority of patients will require hospitalization as an initial intervention.
D. Psychodynamic therapy is extremely successful when patients are not lost to follow-up.
Bruce and Debbie have made an appointment for a psychiatric consultation for what amounts to psychiatric
genetic counseling. Bruce is 31 years old and Debbie is 28 years old. They have been married for 3 years and
want to have children. Debbie is worried because she has a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Her symptoms first
became evident when she was in her junior year of college; fortunately, she knew about the disease due to
family history and sought care quickly. She has been very open with Bruce, and they are both well informed
about the disease. Debbie is an only child and her father had schizophrenia that was not well controlled. He
committed suicide when she was 15 years old. Debbie takes olanzapine and feels well overall. She has a parttime job, functions well, but is concerned about the genetic nature of her disease. Counseling for Bruce and
Debbie includes which of the following pieces of information?
A. Schizophrenia is up to eight times more prevalent in first-degree relatives as compared to the general
population.
B. Schizophrenia has been isolated to chromosome number 5 and antenatal testing is available to predict
genetic predisposition of the fetus.
C. Debbie’s age of onset is more highly correlated with incidence in her offspring as compared to early-onset
schizophrenia.
D. Environment is at least as important as genetics with respect to expression of schizophrenic symptoms.
Donna is a 16-year-old transgender female who has been through extensive individual and family counseling
and is ready to start hormone therapy with estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone-blocking agents. When
counseling her specifically about the risks, benefits, and required monitoring of hormonal therapy, the
PMHNP advises Donna that:
A. Her voice will become more consistent with the female gender
B. She will need routine lipid and diabetes screeningC. Sterility is a probable consequence of hormone therapy
D. Worsening of acne is common in the first year of treatment
The PMHNP suspects that Wesley, an 8-year-old male, has a reading disorder. In kindergarten his teacher
documented some suspicion for a disorder, but throughout first grade and now into second grade, he is
clearly functioning below expected levels.. He becomes increasingly anxious when asked to read in school.
Which aspect of Wesley’s history would support the risk for this diagnosis?
A. Visual perceptual deficits
B. Social anxiety disorder
C. Inadequate schooling
D. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Lamictal weight gain. Forgot this question as well, know which bipolar treatment isn’t
associated with weight gain Lamictal, Zyprexa, lithium and risperdone
Ryan is a 6-year-old male who is being evaluated because his pediatrician is concerned that he demonstrates
a marked inability to perform the daily motor skills consistent with what is expected at his age. At the age of 3
he was assessed due to delay in developmental milestones and was found to have an IQ of 68, consistent with
mild mental retardation. When interpreting his motor coordination today, the PMHNP considers that:
A. Deficits in coordination are consistent with mental retardation; mental retardation precludes a diagnosis
of developmental coordination disorder
B. This diagnosis is unlikely for Ryan as developmental coordination disorder is almost exclusively a
diagnosis of females
C. Gross motor problems are often associate with comorbid language disturbance
D. Secondary peer relationship problems are common in children with developmental coordination disorder
Rumination is a feeding disorder most commonly seen in infants, but it can occur at any point in the lifespan.
Characteristic findings in infants include:
A. Resultant soothing
B. Comorbid hiatal hernia
C. Failure to thrive
D. Onset at 4–6 weeks of age
When counseling the parents of an intersex neonate, the PMHNP recognizes that the current standard of care
is to counsel toward:
A. Male-to-female surgical proceduresB. Flexible sex rearing
C. An early and consistent decision of the child’s gender
D. Hormone augmentation of chromosomal gender
Which of the following symptom clusters is most likely in a 16-year-old male with major depressive disorder?
A. Disturbance of mood, loss of interest, and mood-congruent hallucinations
B. Irritability, persistent abdominal complaints, and insomnia
C. Decreased concentration, social withdrawal, and substance abuse
D. Pervasive anhedonia, hopelessness, and severe psychomotor retardation
he PMHNP is working with a couple who has been trying for years to conceive and is now ready to pursue
adoption as an option. They are considering all possibilities; private vs. government-mediated adoption,
adopting from another country, adopting a child of a different race or ethnicity, adopting an older child rather
than an infant, and adopting a child who is currently in foster care vs. one who lives in an orphanage. While
counseling this couple, the PMHNP advises them that:
A. Younger children adopted from foster care settings have the best outcomes
B. Children adopted from abuse and neglect situations have better psychological adaptation than those
adopted as newborns
C. Transracial adoptions have demonstrated greater disruptions as compared to same-race adoptions
D. Adoptions into families as an only child are more successful than those into families with biological
children
Rose is a 13-year-old girl who is being evaluated as part of a family assessment; the primary patient is Rose’s
8-year-old brother who is demonstrating behavior of concern and is having a court-ordered evaluation.
During the family assessment, it becomes apparent that Rose’s mother is very concerned that Rose is a
tomboy. The mother, who is very elegant, is distressed by Rose’s persistent “tomboy” behavior and worries
that Rose might become a lesbian, which would be “unacceptable” to the family. More detailed evaluation of
Rose reveals that she is experiencing some sexual reflection. She excels at sports and has always preferred
rough and tumble play, but she doesn’t see anything wrong with that. She thinks she is sexually attracted to
one of her female teachers, and sometimes fantasizes about her. Rose just began menstruating 3 months ago,
and while she has had a boyfriend at school, she is not sexually active in any way; they have kissed a few
times, and she likes it, but she has no plans to take it any further. Otherwise Rose seems well adjusted,
worries about her brother, and dismisses her mother’s concerns as “silly.” Which of the following statements
best characterizes Rose?
A. Rose should be evaluated for gender dysphoria as she meets the criteria of “strong preference for
activities stereotypically engaged in by the other gender.”
B. Rose is probably a lesbian and family therapy should include working with the mother to accept Rose’ssexual orientation.
C. Rose may be a candidate for conversion therapy as her preferences are ambiguous at this point in her
development.
D. Rose does not appear to have concerns about her gender identity of sexuality and no further evaluation is
indicated.
Linda is a 5-year-old girl who has persistent pica; she was finally referred for care when her kindergarten
teacher became alarmed by her eating of potentially toxic nonfood substances. Linda’s mother admits during
the history that Linda has been doing this for years, but thought it was not a big deal since Linda didn’t eat
anything dangerous. Linda’s mother must work two jobs and essentially did not bother to pursue Linda’s
unusual symptom because it didn’t seem unsafe. While discussing management strategies with Linda’s
mother, the PMHNP counsels that the most rapidly successful treatment strategy appears to be:
A. Aversion therapy
B. Play therapy
C. Environmental control
D. Cognitive behavioral therapy
reatment of early-onset schizophrenia can be challenging due to the paucity of evidence-based support for
various pharmacotherapeutics and nonpharmacologic interventions. In a recent study comparing olanzapine
to clozapine, outcomes were assessed with the Clinical Global Impression of Severity of Symptoms Scale and
Schedule for the Assessment of Negative/Positive Symptoms. Clozapine was found to demonstrate
statistically significant superiority in which outcome measure?
A. Alleviating negative symptoms
B. Occurrence of extrapyramidal effects
C. Sustained remission of symptoms
D. Remission of hallucinations and delusions
The difference between hormonal management of transgender adolescents from adults is that which of the
following has no role in adult management?
A. Estrogen
B. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
C. Testosterone
D. Testosterone blockers
While the core features of schizophrenia are essentially the same in children as they are in adults, the
presentation or characterization is sometimes very different given developmental issues. Unlike adults with
schizophrenia, children with schizophrenia do not have:A. Classic positive symptoms
B. Poverty of speech content
C. Social rejection
D. Delusions of persecution
The PMHNP has been trained in custody evaluations and is preparing to perform his first evaluation as a
guardian ad litem. The case involves a 6-year-old boy and his 4-year-old sister. The parents are very angry
and not able to talk or come to any agreements at all. Both parents want full custody and support from the
other parent, both of whom are working professionals. After interviewing each party alone and then
conducting a family interview, the PMHNP reviews all records made available, including the legal filings and
petitions. There are no allegations of abuse or neglect or unsuitability from either parent; they just each want
full custody. In addition to considering the best interests of the children, the PMHNP knows that the elements
considered by the court will include all the following except the:
A. Children’s current adjustment to home, school, and community
B. Wishes of the children and parents
C. Physical health of parents and children
D. Parent’s degree of financial resources
The PMHNP has been trained in custody evaluations and is preparing to perform his first evaluation as a
guardian ad litem. The case involves a 6-year-old boy and his 4-year-old sister. The parents are very angry
and not able to talk or come to any agreements at all. Both parents want full custody and support from the
other parent, both of whom are working professionals. After interviewing each party alone and then
conducting a family interview, the PMHNP reviews all records made available, including the legal filings and
petitions. There are no allegations of abuse or neglect or unsuitability from either parent; they just each want
full custody. In addition to considering the best interests of the children, the PMHNP knows that the elements
considered by the court will include all the following except the:
A. Children’s current adjustment to home, school, and community
B. Wishes of the children and parents
C. Physical health of parents and children
D. Parent’s degree of financial resources
Ramon is a 12-year-old male who was started on fluoxetine, 40 mg daily, for major depressive disorder 6
weeks ago. At his 2-week follow-up he was feeling well with no adverse drug effects, and his dose was
elevated from 20 to 40 mg. Today he presents for a routine follow-up visit. He reports that he has been “all
wound up” and is frequently agitated. He cannot sleep well and has trouble focusing at school. His friends say
that he gets upset quickly, and they are starting to avoid him. The most appropriate approach is to:
A. Taper the fluoxetine off and see if these symptoms improveB. Add a mood stabilizer to the fluoxetine
C. Increase his dose of fluoxetine to 60 mg daily
D. Continue the current dose and reassess in 2 weeks
Bipolar I disorder is being diagnosed with increasing frequency in prepubertal children. Which of the
following is a true statement with respect to this trend?
A. Better awareness and screening practices promote earlier diagnosis and management.
B. The diagnosis is controversial because few children this age exhibit discrete mood cycles.
C. The majority of children diagnosed with bipolar I have a history of attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder.
D. Prepubertal children with bipolar I are extremely sensitive to mood stabilizers.
Maria is an 11-year-old girl who has been diagnosed with early-onset schizophrenia. In writing up her case
report for publication, the PMHNP makes it a point to highlight which of the following historical features that
are often seen in schizophrenia of middle childhood?
A. Onset of hallucinations and delusions before age 6
B. Symptoms easily confused with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
C. Delayed motor milestones and language acquisition
D. High expressed emotion characterized by overly critical family response
1 points The PMHNP has completed the initial assessment of Bruce, a 14-year-old boy who was initially
presented to care by his parents because of progressive social withdrawal. Upon completion of the patient
interview, mental status exam, and family assessment, review of all information reveals that for the past 15
months Bruce has been progressively “moody.” His parents say that he has become so irritable that his little
brother and sister are afraid to talk to him anymore. Additionally, he has become socially withdrawn, now not
even wanting to go to school. Bruce says he is tired all the time and just doesn’t feel like doing anything. He
often does not complete homework assignments. When considering a diagnosis of dysthymic disorder, the
PMHNP knows that which other history finding must be present?
A. Depressed mood most of the time for at least 2 weeks
B. Symptoms not resolved for more than 2 months at a time
C. Intermittent episodes of anger disproportionate to the stimulus
D. Concomitant substance abuse
anorexia nervosa, the PMHNP knows that all of the following must be present exceptMarion is a 17-year-old female who has been referred by her high school guidance counselor for evaluation.
The counselor is concerned that Marion has an eating disorder because she has seen her in the bathroom on
several occasions vomiting, but there is no other indicator of illness like fever or missing school days. When
considering the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, the PMHNP knows that all of the following must be present
except:
A. A voluntary, unhealthy degree of weight loss and maintenance
B. An intense fear of becoming fat
C. Some form of disorder of menstruation
D. Symptoms present for at least 3 months
There are several physiologic abnormalities that may result in ambiguous genitalia and/or an unclear
sense of gender identity leading to gender dysphoria. When an adolescent female is found to have
cryptorchid testes, this indicates a condition known as:
A. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
B. Androgen insensitivity syndrome
C. Turner’s syndrome
D. Klinefelter’s syndrome
Early-onset schizophrenia is quite rare as compared to adolescent and adult onset. Certain features are
unique to early-onset schizophrenia and include all the following except:
A. Extremely high rates of comorbid psychiatric disorders
B. Marked deficits in intelligence quotient (IQ)
C. Significant delay in perceptuomotor skills
D. Better long-term outcomes with early intervention
The PMHNP is having a family meeting with 8-year-old Hunter and his father and stepmother to discuss
the results of his mathematics assessment. Analysis of his performance on the KeyMath Diagnostic
Arithmetic Test reveals a performance markedly below what is expected for his age. Hunter’s mother feels
certain that his poor performance is a result of poor education; apparently Hunter’s mother was
homeschooling him, but subsequently she was found to be so neglectful of all of his needs that his father
and stepmother were given full custody. When discussing the course and prognosis for Hunter’s
mathematics disorder, the PMHNP advises that:
A. Compared to other learning disorders, mathematics disorder does not appear to depend on the
amount or quality of instruction
B. Mathematics disorders are not stable over time, and early intervention may lead to improvement ofskills
C. The remediation program will emphasize computational skills
D. Pharmacotherapy with remediation produces the best outcomes
he PMHNP is having a family meeting with 8-year-old Hunter and his father and stepmother to discuss the
results of his mathematics assessment. Analysis of his performance on the KeyMath Diagnostic Arithmetic
Test reveals a performance markedly below what is expected for his age. Hunter’s mother feels certain
that his poor performance is a result of poor education; apparently Hunter’s mother was homeschooling
him, but subsequently she was found to be so neglectful of all of his needs that his father and stepmother
were given full custody. When discussing the course and prognosis for Hunter’s mathematics disorder, the
PMHNP advises that:
A. Compared to other learning disorders, mathematics disorder does not appear to depend on the
amount or quality of instruction
B. Mathematics disorders are not stable over time, and early intervention may lead to improvement of
skills
C. The remediation program will emphasize computational skills
D. Pharmacotherapy with remediation produces the best outcomes
n which demographic is depression twice as prevalent in girls as compared to boys?
A. Preschoolers
B. School aged
C. Adolescents
D. All children
Mrs. Henderson is a 24-year-old mother of 4 children under the age off 5. She has developed a trust
relationship with the PMNHP after successful evaluation and management of ADHD in her oldest child. She
now brings in her 3-year-old for an evaluation because she keeps eating things she finds within reach –
paper, dirt, and one day, the mother found this child eating from the cat litter box. The mother says the
child is up to date on her vaccines but she has not mentioned this problem to the pediatrician. The PMHNP
knows that immediate assessment must include:
A. A comprehensive family assessment to include all children
B. Laboratory assessment of hemogram, iron, zinc, and lead levels
C. Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence – Revised
D. Assessment of developmental milestones
Standardized instructional programs used in the management of reading disorders include all the
following except:A. The Orton Gillingham and Direct Instructional System for Teaching and Remediation
B. Science Research Associates, Inc. Basic Reading Program
C. Bridge Reading Program
D. Woodcock-Johnson Psychoeducational Battery
Regarding pediatric suicide, which of the following is a true statement?
A. Worldwide, suicide very rarely occurs in children who have not reached puberty.
B. In the last 15 years, both suicidal ideation and completed suicide rates have increased among
adolescents.
C. Cognitive immaturity is significantly correlated with risk of completed suicide in children of all ages.
D. Approximately 75% of suicidal children communicate intent or ideation to a friend or relative within
24 hours of the attempt.
iana is a 10-year-old girl who is being referred for evaluation because her school performance is
appreciably below what is expected at her age. Historically she has been a very happy child, likes school,
and looks forward to going. However, over the last several months her teacher reports that she is much
slower than her peers in reading, and she appears to be upset and withdrawn when asked to read in class.
The PMHNP would expect additional report from the teacher to include all the following except:
A. Inability to copy correctly from a printed text
B. Poorly established left-to-right tracking
C. Omissions and distortions of words when reading aloud
D. Compensation with use of memory and inference
The etiology of childhood depression is multifactorial and may include biological factors. Which of the
following is a true statement with respect to hormonal studies in depressed children?
A. Prepubertal children having a depressive episode secrete significantly more growth hormone during
sleep than nondepressed children.
B. Polysomnography demonstrates significantly reduced rapid eye movement (REM) during depressive
episodes.
C. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are elevated > 50% above the upper limits of normal in the
majority of children with depression.
D. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies in depressed adolescents reveals low ventricular volume
and increased frontal lobe volume.
herapeutic outcomes for children with disorders of written expression are most favorable whenThe therapeutic outcomes for children with disorders of written expression are most favorable when they are
characterized by:
Concomitant pharmacotherapy with a psychostimulant to promote attention and focus
Multimodal therapy to include group interaction with peer-to-peer feedback on writing samples
A variety of tutors who will offer a variety of writing techniques, composition strategies, and critiques
Intensive, continuous administration of individually tailored, one-on-one expressive and creative writing
therapy
Jessica is a 26-month-old female who is being evaluated because she will not eat. Her parents report that she
just flat out will not eat her meals. Her mother says that she has followed all the pediatrician’s suggestions:
she has eliminated any snacks or drinks between meals, and she has offered a variety of foods, including
those that Jessica seemed to enjoy previously. Jessica is not sick; has no problems with vomiting or
elimination abnormalities. Jessica’s parent say that her pediatrician is not concerned, but they are not
comfortable with what appears to be an almost complete absence of food intake. While considering a
diagnosis of avoidant food intake disorder the PMHNP knows that any of the following would fulfill the
diagnostic criteria except:
A. An irritable, apathetic, or anxious affect
B. Failure to gain weight consistent with her trajectory since birth
C. A loss of 15% body weight
D. Use of daily nutritional supplements
Mel is a 15-year-old male with a complex psychiatric assessment. He has a long history of mood instability,
behavior problems, and trouble with school work. He was an extremely active child who, at one time, was put
on medication for hyperactivity. After a comprehensive evaluation, the PMHP recognizes that he meets
diagnostic criteria for both bipolar I disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The most
successful approach to his management is likely to begin with:
A. Pharmacotherapy for ADHD
B. Pharmacotherapy for bipolar I
C. Parental training and behavioral interventions for ADHD
D. Family-focused psychoeducational (FFT-A) for bipolar I
Kelly is a 14-year-old female who has finally been referred for management of anorexia nervosa. She was
diagnosed almost 1 year ago with the food-restricting subtype, but attempts to get her into psychiatric care
were unsuccessful. She continues to be resistant but her caloric intake is now < 400 daily and she finally
appears to be unable to sustain the supraphysiologic levels of exercise that she has maintained to try and
“keep her weight down.” She is 5’2” tall and weighs 82 lbs., which is approximately 75% of ideal body weight
for her height. Her vital signs are stable and surprisingly there are no profound laboratory or ECG
abnormalities. When counseling Kelly and her parents about the recommended course of treatment, the
PMHNP advises that Kelly will require:A. Intensive dynamic psychotherapy to alter eating behavior
B. Hospitalization for controlled weight gain
C. Pharmacotherapy with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
D. Family therapy to include all members living in the home
The PMHNP is working with the parents of a 13-month-old male who is diagnosed with avoidant/restrictive
food intake disorder. The toddler will eat, but he seems to tire both physically and emotionally very quickly
and is easily distracted; once distracted, he will not return to the meal. His weight trajectory has dropped and
he has gone from a weight of 60 percentile for age/height to 10 percentile for age/height. As part of the
transactional plan of care, the parents will be encouraged to:
A. Allow the child to determine the eating schedule, and feed him whenever he appears hungry
B. Offer high calorie liquid supplements between scheduled meals
C. Present playful stimuli during and immediately after meals
D. Give attention and praise to positive eating beha
All the following are true with respect to making a diagnosis of major depressive disorder in children except:
A. There must be a change from previous level of functioning.
B. There must be social or academic impairment.
C. There must be somatic or psychomotor complaints.
mean length of major depressive episode in adolescents is 4 months
Debi is a 15-year-old girl who is currently being treated for depression. Her parents have been very proactive
and involved in her care, and Debi has achieved remission 2 months after beginning treatment with a
combination of pharmacotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. While counseling Debi’s parents about
important issues in management, the PMHNP advises that:
A. There is a > 50% likelihood that Debi’s younger sibling will develop depressive symptoms
B. The mean length of major depressive episode in adolescents is 4 months
C. 20 to 40% of adolescents who have major depressive disorder will develop bipolar I within 5 years
D. Adolescent-onset depression typically needs long-term pharmacologic management to prevent relapse
Which of the following is a true statement with respect to developmental coordination disorder?
A. The majority of children with this disorder do not have a history of significant developmental milestone
delay.B. The clumsiness of developmental disorder generally persists into adolescence and adulthood.
C. Most successful treatment strategies involve integrative physical education to include the peer group in
team sports.
D. Neurologic examination is very similar to patients with neuromuscular disease.
The PMHNP is preparing a presentation for a conference of pediatric primary care providers. The topic of the
presentation is early identification and referral of developmental coordination disorder. When outlining highrisk populations, the PMHNP discusses that statistically there is a higher incidence of occurrence in children
with all of the following except:
A. Speech disorders
B. Learning disorders
C. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
D. Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
The current scholarly consensus is that the etiology of bulimia nervosa is multifactorial to include biological,
sociocultural, family, cognitive-behavioral, and psychodynamic factors. When considering the etiology of
bulimia nervosa, the PMHNP understands that:
A. Family factors contributing to bulimia nervosa include emotional restraint, tight parental control of
behavior, and avoidance of conflict.
B. Lowered serotonin activity is seen in the brains of patients with bulimia nervosa.
C. There is a disproportionate incidence in childhood sexual abuse in patients with bulimia nervosa.
D. Cultural influences are much less implicit in the development of bulimia nervosa as compared to anorexia
nervosa. Andrew is a 14-year-old male who is being managed for bipolar I disorder. He was started on
lithium 6 weeks ago and has achieved a serum level of 1.1 mEq/L according to his most recent blood work.
Andrew says he doesn’t feel any different, but both his parents and teachers report improvement in his
mood. He has been more stable, is getting along better with friends and siblings, and is even more
interested in his schoolwork. The PMHNP plans to maintain Andrew on this medication and knows that he
will need which of the following ongoing laboratory assessments?
A. Complete blood count, thyroid function tests, and serum calcium
B. Liver function tests, complete blood count, and 12-lead electrocardiogram
C. White blood cell differential, fasting glucose, and fasting lipid profile
D. Comprehensive metabolic panel, complete blood count, and thyroid function tes
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