NR 606 WEEK 5 DIAGNOSIS
& MANAGEMENT IN PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH II
PRACTICUM EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST 2025-
2026
Stimulant Medications: Methylphenidate - ANSWER--Low risk of adverse effects
-Available formulations:
• Ritalin - available in immediate release (IR) and extended release (XR) available in beads
that may be sprinkled on food for children who cannot swallow pills
• Concerta biphasic - combined immediate and delayed release in one medication
• Daytrana - patch applied in AM and removed after 9 hour
Stimulant Medications: Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin) - ANSWER--Available in IR and ER
-More potent than Ritalin
-High risk of adverse effects
Stimulant Medications: Amphetamine (Adzenys) - ANSWER--available in orally
disintegrating ER formula for children who cannot swallow pills
-Avoid prescribing when an MAOI has been used within 14 days
,Stimulant Medications: Dextroamphetamine (Adderall) - ANSWER--Available in IR and
extended-release formulations
-Often dosed in morning (IR or XR) with an evening or evening prn (IR) dose if med effects
diminish prior to end of school, study or the workday
-Most abused & diverted prescription stimulant
Stimulant Medications: Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) - ANSWER--Biologically inactive until
metabolized by the body (Prodrug)
-Less abuse & diversion potential than other stimulants
-Higher-cost medication
Non-stimulant medication: Atomoxetine (Strattera) - ANSWER--Noradrenergic (NRI)
-Initial drug of choice for adults with ADHD
-no abuse potential
-tolerated well when prescribed in BID dosing
-appropriate choice for comorbid substance abuse
-may augment the effects of antidepressants & antianxiety meds
-can be dosed at bedtime if fatigue is noted
-unlikely to worsen tics
Non-stimulant medication: Clonidine - ANSWER--α 2 agonist
,• May be taken as monotherapy or with stimulant medications
-enhances precortical function for better mental focus
-appetite neutral
-may help with sleep disturbances, administer at bedtime
-adverse effects:
• sedation, brain fog
-monitor of BP closely during initial titration, risk of hypotension
-tapered to avoid rebound hypertension post discontinuation
Non-stimulant medication: guanfacine - ANSWER--α 2 agonist
• May be taken as monotherapy or with stimulant medications
-may also be used for children with tics, sleep disturbances, or aggression
-tolerability & convenience enhanced by once-daily oral controlled-release formulation
-adverse effects:
• sedation, headache, decreased appetite
-reduced side-effect profile comparable to clonidine
-bedtime administration to avoid daytime sedation
Non-stimulant medication: Bupropion (Wellbutrin) - ANSWER--Norepinephrine Dopamine
Reuptake Inhibitor
, -off-label use for ADHD in adults
-appropriate for clients with concurrent depression or tobacco abuse
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) - ANSWER--one of the most common
neuropsychiatric disorders
-approximately 9.4% of children in the U.S.
-more frequently males than females, ratio 2:1
-symptom burden mild to severe
-characterized by consistent pattern of inattention &/or hyperactivity & impulsivity that
interferes with functioning & development
• affect development of proper cognitive, behavioral, emotional, social, & academic function
-hyperactivity and impulsivity ADHD subtype symptoms: excessive fidgeting or talking,
feelings of restlessness and impatience, frequent interruption, and difficultly playing
quietly
-inattentive ADHD subtype symptoms: difficulty organizing tasks, maintaining a routine,
and paying attention to detail
• may not be distinguishable until eight or nine years of age
-primarily disrupts neuronal connections within the frontal lobe & prefrontal cortex
Without early identification and proper treatment, ADHD can cause disruptions in: -
ANSWER-academic performance
& MANAGEMENT IN PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH II
PRACTICUM EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST 2025-
2026
Stimulant Medications: Methylphenidate - ANSWER--Low risk of adverse effects
-Available formulations:
• Ritalin - available in immediate release (IR) and extended release (XR) available in beads
that may be sprinkled on food for children who cannot swallow pills
• Concerta biphasic - combined immediate and delayed release in one medication
• Daytrana - patch applied in AM and removed after 9 hour
Stimulant Medications: Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin) - ANSWER--Available in IR and ER
-More potent than Ritalin
-High risk of adverse effects
Stimulant Medications: Amphetamine (Adzenys) - ANSWER--available in orally
disintegrating ER formula for children who cannot swallow pills
-Avoid prescribing when an MAOI has been used within 14 days
,Stimulant Medications: Dextroamphetamine (Adderall) - ANSWER--Available in IR and
extended-release formulations
-Often dosed in morning (IR or XR) with an evening or evening prn (IR) dose if med effects
diminish prior to end of school, study or the workday
-Most abused & diverted prescription stimulant
Stimulant Medications: Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) - ANSWER--Biologically inactive until
metabolized by the body (Prodrug)
-Less abuse & diversion potential than other stimulants
-Higher-cost medication
Non-stimulant medication: Atomoxetine (Strattera) - ANSWER--Noradrenergic (NRI)
-Initial drug of choice for adults with ADHD
-no abuse potential
-tolerated well when prescribed in BID dosing
-appropriate choice for comorbid substance abuse
-may augment the effects of antidepressants & antianxiety meds
-can be dosed at bedtime if fatigue is noted
-unlikely to worsen tics
Non-stimulant medication: Clonidine - ANSWER--α 2 agonist
,• May be taken as monotherapy or with stimulant medications
-enhances precortical function for better mental focus
-appetite neutral
-may help with sleep disturbances, administer at bedtime
-adverse effects:
• sedation, brain fog
-monitor of BP closely during initial titration, risk of hypotension
-tapered to avoid rebound hypertension post discontinuation
Non-stimulant medication: guanfacine - ANSWER--α 2 agonist
• May be taken as monotherapy or with stimulant medications
-may also be used for children with tics, sleep disturbances, or aggression
-tolerability & convenience enhanced by once-daily oral controlled-release formulation
-adverse effects:
• sedation, headache, decreased appetite
-reduced side-effect profile comparable to clonidine
-bedtime administration to avoid daytime sedation
Non-stimulant medication: Bupropion (Wellbutrin) - ANSWER--Norepinephrine Dopamine
Reuptake Inhibitor
, -off-label use for ADHD in adults
-appropriate for clients with concurrent depression or tobacco abuse
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) - ANSWER--one of the most common
neuropsychiatric disorders
-approximately 9.4% of children in the U.S.
-more frequently males than females, ratio 2:1
-symptom burden mild to severe
-characterized by consistent pattern of inattention &/or hyperactivity & impulsivity that
interferes with functioning & development
• affect development of proper cognitive, behavioral, emotional, social, & academic function
-hyperactivity and impulsivity ADHD subtype symptoms: excessive fidgeting or talking,
feelings of restlessness and impatience, frequent interruption, and difficultly playing
quietly
-inattentive ADHD subtype symptoms: difficulty organizing tasks, maintaining a routine,
and paying attention to detail
• may not be distinguishable until eight or nine years of age
-primarily disrupts neuronal connections within the frontal lobe & prefrontal cortex
Without early identification and proper treatment, ADHD can cause disruptions in: -
ANSWER-academic performance
