PAEA PEDIATRICS EOR EXAM EXAM SCRIPT
2026 TEST PAPER QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ what are the symptoms of MDD? Answer: SIG E CAPS
-*S*leep (insomnia or hypersomnia)
-*I*nterest (decreased pleasure/interest in doing things)
-*G*uilt (or feelings of worthlessness)
-*E*nergy (loss or fatigue)
-*C*oncentration (loss or indecisiveness)
-*A*ppetite (loss or hyperphagia resulting in wt. loss or gain)
-*P*sychomotor (retardation or agitation)
-*S*uicidal Ideation
◉ depression is thought to be caused by decreased levels of Answer:
serotonin, norepinephrine, and/or dopamine
◉ how long does it take for most anti-depressants to start working
enough that the patient notices a difference? Answer: 3 weeks with
max effect at 3 mos
,◉ Dx? depressed mood for most of the day, more days than not for
≥2 years Answer: Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
◉ persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) requires how many
symptoms to be present for at least 2 years? Answer: ≥2 symptoms
of depression (SIG E CAPS)
◉ cyclothymic disorder is similar to persistent depressive disorder
(dysthymia) in that symptoms must be present for ____ years and not
absent for more than ____ months at a time Answer: 2 years
2 months
◉ what meds are considered 1st line in treating depressive
disorders like MDD and PDD? Answer: SSRI's (fluoxetine/Prozac,
sertraline/Zoloft, paroxetine/Paxil, citalopram/Celexa,
escitalopram/Lexapro, fluvoxamine/Luvox)
◉ what is another way treatment resistant depression can be
treated? Answer: electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)- inducing a brief
seizure causes the release of NTs
◉ all antidepressants carry a BBW for Answer: suicidal ideation
(thoughts, not attempts) in children, adolescents, and young adults;
if this occurs, consider it a side effect of a med instead of worsening
depression & change meds
,◉ which antidepressants can lower the seizure threshold? which is
the worst? Answer: ALL! Bupropion is worst
◉ which antidepressants can cause QT prolongation? which is the
worst? Answer: ALL except for *combined SSRIs*
(vilazodone/Viibryd, vortioxetine/Brintellex), *MAOIs*
(Isocaboxazid/Marplan, phenelzine/Nardil,
tranylcypromine/Parnate, selegiline transdermal patch), and
*"fringe drugs"* (buproprion/Wellbutrin, mirtazapine/Remeron,
trazodone)
*citalopram*/Celexa (SSRI) has a BBW for QT prolongation
◉ which SSRI is category D/X in pregnant patients for causing
pulmonary HTN in newborns? Answer: paroxetine/Paxil
◉ 1st, 2nd, and 3rd line medication treatment for depression
Answer: 1st- SSRIs
2nd- SNRIs, bupropion, mirtazapine
3rd- TCAs & MAOIs
all of these work best when combined with CBT
, ◉ what are some common SEs of SSRIs? Answer: GI upset, sexual
dysfxn, HA, changes in energy level, anxiety, insomnia, wt changes,
SIADH
◉ acute AMS, seizures, coma, restlessness, diaphoresis, tremor,
hyperthermia, N/V, abdominal pain, mydriasis, and tachycardia are
all signs of? which is caused by? Answer: serotonin syndrome
caused by SSRI + MAOI use or inadequate wash out time between
switching meds
◉ list the SNRIs Answer: venlafaxine/Effexor,
desvenlafaxine/Pristiq, duloxetine/Cymbalta
◉ which antidepressant can cause worsening of glaucoma? Answer:
duloxetine/Cymbalta
◉ amitriptyline, doxepin, cimipramine, imipramine, trimipramine,
nortriptyline, amoxapine, desipramine, protriptyline are what class
of medications? Answer: TCAs for depression; "-amine" & "-
triptyline"
◉ what are some reasons TCAs should generally be avoided in the
elderly? Answer: -cardiotoxicity (QT prolongation)
-anticholinergic SEs (can't pee, can't see, can't spit, can't shit)
2026 TEST PAPER QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ what are the symptoms of MDD? Answer: SIG E CAPS
-*S*leep (insomnia or hypersomnia)
-*I*nterest (decreased pleasure/interest in doing things)
-*G*uilt (or feelings of worthlessness)
-*E*nergy (loss or fatigue)
-*C*oncentration (loss or indecisiveness)
-*A*ppetite (loss or hyperphagia resulting in wt. loss or gain)
-*P*sychomotor (retardation or agitation)
-*S*uicidal Ideation
◉ depression is thought to be caused by decreased levels of Answer:
serotonin, norepinephrine, and/or dopamine
◉ how long does it take for most anti-depressants to start working
enough that the patient notices a difference? Answer: 3 weeks with
max effect at 3 mos
,◉ Dx? depressed mood for most of the day, more days than not for
≥2 years Answer: Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
◉ persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) requires how many
symptoms to be present for at least 2 years? Answer: ≥2 symptoms
of depression (SIG E CAPS)
◉ cyclothymic disorder is similar to persistent depressive disorder
(dysthymia) in that symptoms must be present for ____ years and not
absent for more than ____ months at a time Answer: 2 years
2 months
◉ what meds are considered 1st line in treating depressive
disorders like MDD and PDD? Answer: SSRI's (fluoxetine/Prozac,
sertraline/Zoloft, paroxetine/Paxil, citalopram/Celexa,
escitalopram/Lexapro, fluvoxamine/Luvox)
◉ what is another way treatment resistant depression can be
treated? Answer: electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)- inducing a brief
seizure causes the release of NTs
◉ all antidepressants carry a BBW for Answer: suicidal ideation
(thoughts, not attempts) in children, adolescents, and young adults;
if this occurs, consider it a side effect of a med instead of worsening
depression & change meds
,◉ which antidepressants can lower the seizure threshold? which is
the worst? Answer: ALL! Bupropion is worst
◉ which antidepressants can cause QT prolongation? which is the
worst? Answer: ALL except for *combined SSRIs*
(vilazodone/Viibryd, vortioxetine/Brintellex), *MAOIs*
(Isocaboxazid/Marplan, phenelzine/Nardil,
tranylcypromine/Parnate, selegiline transdermal patch), and
*"fringe drugs"* (buproprion/Wellbutrin, mirtazapine/Remeron,
trazodone)
*citalopram*/Celexa (SSRI) has a BBW for QT prolongation
◉ which SSRI is category D/X in pregnant patients for causing
pulmonary HTN in newborns? Answer: paroxetine/Paxil
◉ 1st, 2nd, and 3rd line medication treatment for depression
Answer: 1st- SSRIs
2nd- SNRIs, bupropion, mirtazapine
3rd- TCAs & MAOIs
all of these work best when combined with CBT
, ◉ what are some common SEs of SSRIs? Answer: GI upset, sexual
dysfxn, HA, changes in energy level, anxiety, insomnia, wt changes,
SIADH
◉ acute AMS, seizures, coma, restlessness, diaphoresis, tremor,
hyperthermia, N/V, abdominal pain, mydriasis, and tachycardia are
all signs of? which is caused by? Answer: serotonin syndrome
caused by SSRI + MAOI use or inadequate wash out time between
switching meds
◉ list the SNRIs Answer: venlafaxine/Effexor,
desvenlafaxine/Pristiq, duloxetine/Cymbalta
◉ which antidepressant can cause worsening of glaucoma? Answer:
duloxetine/Cymbalta
◉ amitriptyline, doxepin, cimipramine, imipramine, trimipramine,
nortriptyline, amoxapine, desipramine, protriptyline are what class
of medications? Answer: TCAs for depression; "-amine" & "-
triptyline"
◉ what are some reasons TCAs should generally be avoided in the
elderly? Answer: -cardiotoxicity (QT prolongation)
-anticholinergic SEs (can't pee, can't see, can't spit, can't shit)
