NURS 6630 WEEK 9 ASSIGNMENT 2026/2027 | Assessing &
Treating ADHD | Young Girl Katie 8-Year-Old Caucasian
Female | Complete Solutions | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Initial Assessment & Diagnostic Criteria (Katie – 8-Year-Old Female)
Q1: Katie is an 8-year-old Caucasian female brought in by her mother for evaluation. Her
teacher reports that Katie daydreams frequently, fails to finish assignments, and loses
materials daily. At home, Katie avoids homework, is easily distracted by noise, and
forgets to complete chores. According to DSM-5 criteria, how many symptoms of
inattention must be present for a diagnosis of ADHD, predominantly inattentive
presentation, in a child Katie's age?
A. Four symptoms, present for at least three months
B. Five symptoms, present for at least six months
C. Six symptoms, present for at least six months [CORRECT]
D. Eight symptoms, present for at least one year
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because DSM-5 requires six or more symptoms of inattention (or
hyperactivity/impulsivity) for children up to age 16, present for at least six months, with
onset before age 12, and causing impairment in two or more settings. For individuals 17
and older, the threshold drops to five symptoms. This matches the DSM-5 diagnostic
criteria for ADHD in children.
Q2: Katie's mother reports that these behaviors have been present since first grade, but
her teacher this year is the first to raise concerns formally. Katie's previous teacher
,described her as "quiet and well-behaved." Which factor most likely explains why Katie's
ADHD was not identified earlier?
A. Katie has developed new symptoms this school year due to academic pressure
B. Katie's parents were in denial about her behavioral problems
C. Girls with predominantly inattentive ADHD often present with internalizing symptoms
(daydreaming, quietness) that are less disruptive and therefore less likely to trigger
referral [CORRECT]
D. Katie's previous teacher lacked training in special education
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because girls with ADHD, particularly the predominantly inattentive
subtype, often display internalizing symptoms such as daydreaming, mind-wandering,
and quiet disengagement rather than overt hyperactivity or disruptive behavior. These
less visible presentations frequently lead to under-recognition and delayed diagnosis
compared to boys who present with more externalizing, disruptive behaviors. This
matches the well-documented gender differences in ADHD presentation and diagnostic
bias.
Q3: During the clinical interview, Katie's mother reports that Katie becomes
"overwhelmed and cries easily" when homework is difficult, and she has difficulty
making friends because she "zones out" during conversations. These findings suggest
which important comorbidity or differential diagnosis to assess?
A. Oppositional defiant disorder only
B. Bipolar disorder
C. Anxiety disorder and/or social skill deficits requiring evaluation [CORRECT]
D. Autism spectrum disorder as the primary diagnosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because emotional dysregulation, easy overwhelm, and social
difficulties are common in girls with ADHD and may indicate comorbid anxiety or social
, skills deficits; up to 50% of children with ADHD have comorbid anxiety disorders. While
ASD should be considered in the differential, the described symptoms are more
consistent with anxiety-related emotional dysregulation secondary to or comorbid with
ADHD. This matches the NURS 6630 emphasis on evaluating comorbidities in pediatric
ADHD assessment.
Q4: The Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Parent Rating Scale is completed by Katie's
mother. Which pattern of scores would best support a diagnosis of ADHD,
predominantly inattentive presentation?
A. Elevated scores on hyperactivity/impulsivity items only, with normal inattention
scores
B. Elevated scores on all symptom domains with low performance scores
C. Elevated scores (≥2s above the mean) on inattention items, with at least one
performance item scored as a 4 or 5, and comparable teacher report confirming
symptoms in the school setting [CORRECT]
D. Mildly elevated scores on inattention items with no performance impairment reported
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because the Vanderbilt scale requires symptom scores ≥2 standard
deviations above the mean on either inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity subscales,
plus at least one performance item (academic, social, or organizational) rated as
problematic (4 or 5 on the Likert scale), with cross-situational confirmation from both
parent and teacher reports. This matches the validated scoring and interpretation
criteria for the Vanderbilt ADHD rating scale.
Q5: Katie's physical examination reveals a heart rate of 88 bpm, blood pressure 102/64
mmHg, height at the 50th percentile, and weight at the 45th percentile. She has no
personal or family history of cardiovascular disease, syncope, or sudden cardiac death.
Before initiating stimulant medication, which screening step is most appropriate?
Treating ADHD | Young Girl Katie 8-Year-Old Caucasian
Female | Complete Solutions | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Initial Assessment & Diagnostic Criteria (Katie – 8-Year-Old Female)
Q1: Katie is an 8-year-old Caucasian female brought in by her mother for evaluation. Her
teacher reports that Katie daydreams frequently, fails to finish assignments, and loses
materials daily. At home, Katie avoids homework, is easily distracted by noise, and
forgets to complete chores. According to DSM-5 criteria, how many symptoms of
inattention must be present for a diagnosis of ADHD, predominantly inattentive
presentation, in a child Katie's age?
A. Four symptoms, present for at least three months
B. Five symptoms, present for at least six months
C. Six symptoms, present for at least six months [CORRECT]
D. Eight symptoms, present for at least one year
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because DSM-5 requires six or more symptoms of inattention (or
hyperactivity/impulsivity) for children up to age 16, present for at least six months, with
onset before age 12, and causing impairment in two or more settings. For individuals 17
and older, the threshold drops to five symptoms. This matches the DSM-5 diagnostic
criteria for ADHD in children.
Q2: Katie's mother reports that these behaviors have been present since first grade, but
her teacher this year is the first to raise concerns formally. Katie's previous teacher
,described her as "quiet and well-behaved." Which factor most likely explains why Katie's
ADHD was not identified earlier?
A. Katie has developed new symptoms this school year due to academic pressure
B. Katie's parents were in denial about her behavioral problems
C. Girls with predominantly inattentive ADHD often present with internalizing symptoms
(daydreaming, quietness) that are less disruptive and therefore less likely to trigger
referral [CORRECT]
D. Katie's previous teacher lacked training in special education
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because girls with ADHD, particularly the predominantly inattentive
subtype, often display internalizing symptoms such as daydreaming, mind-wandering,
and quiet disengagement rather than overt hyperactivity or disruptive behavior. These
less visible presentations frequently lead to under-recognition and delayed diagnosis
compared to boys who present with more externalizing, disruptive behaviors. This
matches the well-documented gender differences in ADHD presentation and diagnostic
bias.
Q3: During the clinical interview, Katie's mother reports that Katie becomes
"overwhelmed and cries easily" when homework is difficult, and she has difficulty
making friends because she "zones out" during conversations. These findings suggest
which important comorbidity or differential diagnosis to assess?
A. Oppositional defiant disorder only
B. Bipolar disorder
C. Anxiety disorder and/or social skill deficits requiring evaluation [CORRECT]
D. Autism spectrum disorder as the primary diagnosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because emotional dysregulation, easy overwhelm, and social
difficulties are common in girls with ADHD and may indicate comorbid anxiety or social
, skills deficits; up to 50% of children with ADHD have comorbid anxiety disorders. While
ASD should be considered in the differential, the described symptoms are more
consistent with anxiety-related emotional dysregulation secondary to or comorbid with
ADHD. This matches the NURS 6630 emphasis on evaluating comorbidities in pediatric
ADHD assessment.
Q4: The Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Parent Rating Scale is completed by Katie's
mother. Which pattern of scores would best support a diagnosis of ADHD,
predominantly inattentive presentation?
A. Elevated scores on hyperactivity/impulsivity items only, with normal inattention
scores
B. Elevated scores on all symptom domains with low performance scores
C. Elevated scores (≥2s above the mean) on inattention items, with at least one
performance item scored as a 4 or 5, and comparable teacher report confirming
symptoms in the school setting [CORRECT]
D. Mildly elevated scores on inattention items with no performance impairment reported
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because the Vanderbilt scale requires symptom scores ≥2 standard
deviations above the mean on either inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity subscales,
plus at least one performance item (academic, social, or organizational) rated as
problematic (4 or 5 on the Likert scale), with cross-situational confirmation from both
parent and teacher reports. This matches the validated scoring and interpretation
criteria for the Vanderbilt ADHD rating scale.
Q5: Katie's physical examination reveals a heart rate of 88 bpm, blood pressure 102/64
mmHg, height at the 50th percentile, and weight at the 45th percentile. She has no
personal or family history of cardiovascular disease, syncope, or sudden cardiac death.
Before initiating stimulant medication, which screening step is most appropriate?
