Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Practice Questions

Q: Which of the following is FALSE regarding Rett's syndrome?

Microcephaly at birth. **Explanation:** Rett’s syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder primarily affecting females. The correct answer is **A** because, in Rett’s syndrome, head circumference is typically **normal at birth**. The characteristic feature is **deceleration of head growth** (leading to acquired microcephaly) occurring between 5 months and 4 years of age, rather than being present congenitally. **Analysis of Options:** * **Option B (X-linked inheritance):** This is true. It is caused by a mutation in the **MECP2 gene** on the X chromosome. It is usually lethal in hemizygous males, which is why it is seen almost exclusively in females. * **Option C (Poor social interaction):** This is true. During the "regression phase," children lose previously acquired social and language skills, often mimicking symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder. * **Option D (Stereotypical hand movements):** This is a hallmark diagnostic feature. Patients lose purposeful hand skills and develop repetitive, "hand-washing" or "hand-wringing" midline stereotypes. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** 1. **The "Regression" Key:** Look for a girl who had normal development for the first 6–18 months, followed by a loss of milestones. 2. **Seizures & Ataxia:** Up to 80% of patients develop seizures; a wide-based, ataxic gait is also common. 3. **Breathing Abnormalities:** Episodes of hyperventilation and apnea while awake are characteristic. 4. **ICD-10/DSM-5:** Previously classified under Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), it is now recognized as a distinct genetic neurological condition.

Q: Which of the following is the fastest growing developmental disorder?

Autism spectrum disorder. **Explanation:** **Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)** is currently recognized as the fastest-growing developmental disorder worldwide. This rapid increase in prevalence is attributed to several factors: expanded diagnostic criteria in the DSM-5 (which merged previously separate conditions like Asperger’s into a single spectrum), increased clinical awareness among pediatricians and educators, and improved screening tools leading to earlier detection. Current CDC data suggests a prevalence of approximately 1 in 36 children, a significant rise from previous decades. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Specific Learning Disorder (SLD):** While common (affecting 5-15% of school-aged children), the diagnostic rates have remained relatively stable compared to the exponential rise seen in ASD. * **Intellectual Developmental Disorder (IDD):** Formerly known as Mental Retardation, the prevalence of IDD is generally stable (around 1%) and is often linked to fixed genetic or prenatal insults rather than the shifting diagnostic trends seen in ASD. * **Childhood-Onset Fluency Disorder (Stuttering):** This is a communication disorder. While common in early childhood, most cases resolve spontaneously or with therapy, and it does not show a rising epidemiological trend. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **M-CHAT (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers):** The most commonly used screening tool for ASD (usually performed at 18 and 24 months). * **Core Deficits:** 1) Persistent deficits in social communication/interaction and 2) Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior/interests. * **Early Sign:** Lack of joint attention (e.g., not pointing to show objects of interest) and failure to respond to name by 12 months. * **Prognosis:** The best predictors of long-term outcome are the **level of intelligence (IQ)** and **communicative language development** by age 5.

Q: A 9-year-old child with a history of ADHD diagnosed at 5 years of age presents with multiple motor tics and vocal tics, including barking sounds and coprolalia. There is a family history of similar illness. The child has not received any pharmacologic agents for ADHD. Which of the following drugs would you consider initially for the treatment of the tics?

Risperidone. **Explanation:** The clinical presentation of multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic (barking, coprolalia) persisting for more than a year in a 9-year-old child confirms a diagnosis of **Tourette Disorder**. **1. Why Risperidone is Correct:** The mainstay of pharmacological treatment for Tourette Disorder involves **Dopamine (D2) receptor antagonists**. While traditional antipsychotics like Haloperidol and Pimozide are FDA-approved, **Second-Generation Antipsychotics (SGAs)** like **Risperidone** are now preferred as first-line agents due to a more favorable side-effect profile (lower risk of extrapyramidal symptoms). Risperidone effectively reduces tic frequency and severity by modulating dopaminergic activity in the basal ganglia. **2. Why Incorrect Options are Wrong:** * **Methylphenidate:** This is a CNS stimulant used for ADHD. While the child has ADHD, stimulants can potentially **exacerbate or unmask tics** in predisposed individuals. In a patient with active Tourette symptoms, stimulants are generally avoided or used with extreme caution. * **Baclofen:** A GABA-B agonist used primarily for spasticity. It has no established role as a first-line treatment for Tourette Disorder. * **Levetiracetam:** An antiepileptic drug. While some studies explored its use in tics, it is not a standard or first-line treatment and lacks robust evidence compared to antipsychotics. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Tourette Disorder Triad:** Tics + ADHD + OCD (highly comorbid). * **First-line Non-Pharmacological Rx:** Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT). * **Alpha-2 Agonists:** Clonidine or Guanfacine are preferred if the patient has **comorbid ADHD and mild tics**, as they address both conditions. However, for severe tics/Tourette’s, antipsychotics (Risperidone/Aripiprazole) are superior. * **Coprolalia:** (Involuntary swearing) occurs in only about 10-15% of Tourette cases.

Q: An IQ between 50 and 70 would be classified as what level of intellectual disability?

Mild. ### Explanation Intellectual Disability (ID), formerly known as mental retardation, is characterized by deficits in intellectual functions and adaptive functioning. According to the **ICD-10** and **DSM-IV** criteria, the classification is based on the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) score. **Correct Answer: A. Mild (IQ 50–70)** Mild intellectual disability is the most common category, accounting for approximately 85% of the ID population. Individuals in this group are considered **"Educable."** They can typically achieve academic skills up to the 6th-grade level and can live independently in the community with minimal support. **Incorrect Options:** * **B. Moderate (IQ 35–49):** These individuals are considered **"Trainable."** They can acquire communication skills and perform semi-skilled work under supervision but rarely progress beyond 2nd-grade academic levels. * **C. Severe (IQ 20–34):** These individuals have very limited communication and require significant assistance with self-care and daily activities. They are often referred to as "Dependent." * **D. Borderline (IQ 70–79):** This is not classified as an intellectual disability. It represents a zone between normal intelligence and mild ID where individuals may struggle with complex tasks but do not meet the diagnostic criteria for ID. --- ### High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG: * **Profound ID:** IQ < 20. These individuals require 24-hour nursing care and supervision. * **Most common cause of ID:** Genetic factors (Down Syndrome is the most common chromosomal cause; Fragile X is the most common inherited cause). * **Diagnosis:** Requires both an IQ < 70 **AND** deficits in adaptive functioning (e.g., communication, social skills) manifesting before age 18. * **IQ Calculation:** (Mental Age / Chronological Age) × 100.

Q: Steroids can be used in the treatment of which of the following conditions?

Autism Spectrum Disorder. **Explanation:** The correct answer is **Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)**. While steroids are not a first-line or standard treatment for ASD, they are utilized in specific clinical scenarios involving neuroinflammation or comorbid conditions. **Why Autism Spectrum Disorder is correct:** The rationale for steroid use in ASD stems from the **"Immune Dysfunction Theory."** Some children with ASD exhibit neuroinflammation or autoimmune-like processes. Specifically, steroids (like Prednisolone) are indicated when ASD is associated with **Landa-Kleffner Syndrome (Acquired Epileptic Aphasia)** or when there is evidence of an underlying autoimmune encephalopathy. In these cases, steroids help reduce neuroinflammation and may improve language and behavioral symptoms. **Why other options are incorrect:** * **ADHD:** The mainstay of treatment is stimulants (Methylphenidate) or non-stimulants (Atomoxetine). Steroids have no role here and can actually worsen symptoms by causing irritability or emotional lability. * **OCD:** Treatment involves SSRIs and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT/ERP). While some research explores anti-inflammatory agents for PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections), steroids are not the standard of care for primary OCD. **Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Landa-Kleffner Syndrome:** Characterized by verbal auditory agnosia and "electrical status epilepticus during sleep" (ESES) on EEG. Steroids are a key treatment modality here. * **Steroid-Induced Psychosis:** Always remember that exogenous steroids can cause psychiatric side effects ranging from mania and psychosis to depression. * **Drug of Choice for ADHD:** Methylphenidate (Stimulant). * **Drug of Choice for ASD (Irritability):** Risperidone and Aripiprazole (FDA approved).

Q: A 13-year-old boy frequently argues with parents and teachers. He is not physically aggressive, and there is no history of drug abuse, theft, lying, or bullying. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Oppositional defiant disorder. ### Explanation **1. Why Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is correct:** The core feature of ODD is a persistent pattern of **angry/irritable mood, argumentative/defiant behavior, or vindictiveness** lasting at least 6 months. This patient fits the classic profile: a teenager who frequently argues with authority figures (parents/teachers) but **lacks** the severe violations of societal norms or the rights of others. Crucially, ODD does not involve physical aggression, theft, or deceit. **2. Why the other options are incorrect:** * **Conduct Disorder (CD):** This is the "next step" in severity. CD requires a repetitive pattern of violating the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate societal norms. Key features absent here include **aggression to people/animals, destruction of property, deceitfulness/theft, and serious rule violations** (e.g., truancy, running away). * **Autism & Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD):** These are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by deficits in social communication, social interaction, and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior or interests. The clinical vignette describes a behavioral conflict with authority, not a deficit in social-emotional reciprocity or sensory issues. **3. High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **ODD vs. CD:** Think of ODD as "verbal/defiant" and CD as "physical/criminal." * **Progression:** Approximately 30-50% of children with ODD may eventually develop Conduct Disorder. * **Comorbidity:** ADHD is the most common comorbid condition associated with ODD. * **Age Factor:** If the patient is over 18 and met criteria for CD before age 15, the diagnosis shifts to **Antisocial Personality Disorder**. * **Treatment:** The first-line management for ODD is **Parent Management Training (PMT)** and behavioral therapy, rather than pharmacotherapy.

Q: All of the following statements about 'Imbecile' are true, EXCEPT:

IQ is 50-60. This question tests your knowledge of the historical classification of Intellectual Disability (Mental Retardation). ### **Explanation of the Correct Answer** **Option A is the correct answer (the false statement)** because the IQ range for an **Imbecile** is historically defined as **20–49**. An IQ of 50–70 (not 50–60) corresponds to the category of a **'Moron'** (Mild Intellectual Disability). In modern ICD-10/DSM-5 terminology, an Imbecile corresponds to **Moderate Intellectual Disability**. ### **Analysis of Other Options** * **Option B (Self-care is impaired):** This is true. Individuals in this category can perform simple tasks under supervision but generally require assistance for complex self-care and cannot live independently. * **Option C (Mental age 3–7 years):** This is true. The intellectual capacity of an imbecile is developmentally equivalent to a preschool or early school-aged child. * **Option D (Congenital or early onset):** This is true. Intellectual disability is a neurodevelopmental disorder that originates during the developmental period (prenatally, perinatally, or in early childhood). ### **High-Yield NEET-PG Clinical Pearls** To excel in Psychiatry questions on Intellectual Disability (ID), remember this historical vs. modern correlation: | Historical Term | Modern Term (ICD-10) | IQ Range | Mental Age | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Moron** | Mild ID | 50–69 | 9–12 years | | **Imbecile** | Moderate ID | 35–49 | 6–9 years | | **Idiot** | Severe/Profound ID | < 35 | < 6 years | * **Most common type:** Mild ID (85% of cases). * **Educable:** Mild ID (up to 6th-grade level). * **Trainable:** Moderate ID (can learn simple vocational skills). * **IQ Formula:** (Mental Age / Chronological Age) × 100.

Q: A 12-year-old child with academic difficulties is administered an intelligence test, which reveals they function mentally at the level of an 8-year-old. What category of intellectual function best describes this child?

Mildly intellectually disabled. ### Explanation **1. Understanding the Calculation (The IQ Formula)** To determine the category of intellectual function, we must first calculate the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) using the classic formula: **IQ = (Mental Age / Chronological Age) × 100** In this case: * Mental Age (MA) = 8 years * Chronological Age (CA) = 12 years * **IQ = (8 / 12) × 100 = 66.66 (approx. 67)** **2. Classification of Intellectual Disability (ID)** According to the ICD and DSM-5 criteria, an IQ of **67** falls into the **Mild Intellectual Disability** range (IQ 50–70). These individuals are often "educable," reaching up to a 6th-grade academic level by late adolescence and can live independently with minimal support. **3. Analysis of Incorrect Options** * **A. Severely intellectually disabled:** IQ range is **20–34**. These individuals require significant supervision and have very limited communication skills. * **B. Moderately intellectually disabled:** IQ range is **35–49**. They are considered "trainable," reaching a 2nd-grade academic level, and require supervised living (group homes). * **D. Borderline intellectual functioning:** IQ range is **71–84**. This is not classified as an intellectual disability but represents a deficit in cognitive capacity below the average range (90–110). **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Most Common Type:** Mild ID is the most common, accounting for ~85% of all cases. * **Most Common Genetic Cause:** Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21). * **Most Common Inherited Cause:** Fragile X Syndrome. * **Most Common Preventable Cause:** Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. * **Diagnosis:** Requires deficits in both **intellectual functioning** (IQ < 70) and **adaptive functioning** (ADLs) with onset during the developmental period.

Q: Which one of the following is not a Pervasive Developmental Disorder?

Conduct disorder. **Explanation:** **Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD)** are a group of conditions characterized by delays in the development of multiple basic functions, including socialization and communication. According to the **ICD-10** and **DSM-IV** classifications, PDDs include Autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, Rett’s disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD), and PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). **Why Conduct Disorder is the correct answer:** **Conduct Disorder** is not a PDD; it is classified as a **Disruptive Behavior Disorder**. It is characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate societal norms are violated (e.g., aggression to people/animals, destruction of property, deceitfulness, or theft). **Why the other options are incorrect:** * **Autistic Disorder:** The prototypical PDD involving impairments in social interaction, communication, and restricted/repetitive behaviors. * **Asperger’s Disorder:** A PDD characterized by social impairment and restricted interests, but notably **without** significant delays in language or cognitive development. * **Rett’s Disorder:** A PDD primarily affecting females (X-linked dominant, *MECP2* gene mutation), characterized by a period of normal development followed by loss of purposeful hand skills and the development of stereotypic "hand-wringing" movements. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **DSM-5 Update:** In the newer DSM-5, the term "Pervasive Developmental Disorder" has been replaced by **Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)**, which now encompasses Autism, Asperger’s, and CDD. * **Rett Syndrome** is now considered a separate genetic/neurological disorder in DSM-5 rather than being part of the Autism Spectrum. * **Conduct Disorder** in a child is a strong predictor of **Antisocial Personality Disorder** after the age of 18.

Question 1

Which of the following is FALSE regarding Rett's syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Microcephaly at birth

Answer

X-linked inheritance

Answer

Poor social interaction

Answer

Stereotypical hand movements

Question 2

Which of the following is the fastest growing developmental disorder?

Accepted Answer

Autism spectrum disorder

Answer

Specific learning disorder

Answer

Intellectual developmental disorder

Answer

Childhood onset fluency disorder

Question 3

A 9-year-old child with a history of ADHD diagnosed at 5 years of age presents with multiple motor tics and vocal tics, including barking sounds and coprolalia. There is a family history of similar illness. The child has not received any pharmacologic agents for ADHD. Which of the following drugs would you consider initially for the treatment of the tics?

Accepted Answer

Risperidone

Answer

Baclofen

Answer

Methylphenidate

Answer

Levetiracetam

Question 4

An IQ between 50 and 70 would be classified as what level of intellectual disability?

Accepted Answer

Mild

Answer

Moderate

Answer

Severe

Answer

Borderline

Question 5

Steroids can be used in the treatment of which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Answer

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Answer

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Answer

All of the above

Question 6

A 13-year-old boy frequently argues with parents and teachers. He is not physically aggressive, and there is no history of drug abuse, theft, lying, or bullying. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Oppositional defiant disorder

Answer

Conduct disorder

Answer

Autism

Answer

Pervasive developmental disorder

Question 7

All of the following statements about 'Imbecile' are true, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

IQ is 50-60

Answer

Self-care is impaired

Answer

Intellectual capacity is equivalent to a child of 3-7 years of age

Answer

This condition is usually congenital or acquired at an early age

Question 8

A 12-year-old child with academic difficulties is administered an intelligence test, which reveals they function mentally at the level of an 8-year-old. What category of intellectual function best describes this child?

Accepted Answer

Mildly intellectually disabled

Answer

Severely intellectually disabled

Answer

Moderately intellectually disabled

Answer

Borderline intellectual functioning

Question 9

Which one of the following is not a Pervasive Developmental Disorder?

Accepted Answer

Conduct disorder

Answer

Autistic disorder

Answer

Asperger's disorder

Answer

Rett's disorder

Question 10

Which of the following conditions is also known as "minimal brain dysfunction syndrome"?

Accepted Answer

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Answer

Dyslexia

Answer

Intellectual Disability

Answer

Down Syndrome

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry — MCQs

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry — MCQs

On this page

Practice by Chapter

Want unlimited practice?