,Chapter Topic Subtopics
Guiding Psychopharmacology Principles;
Additional Guiding Principles; Organization and
1 Getting Started
Overview; Selected Changes and Updates in Third
Edition
Rationale for the Conceptual Framework; Group 1
Conceptual Framework for
Medications for ADHD, Anxiety, and Depression;
2 Prescribing Psychotropic
Group 2 Medications; Group 3 Medications;
Medications
References
Overview; Diagnosis of Common Disorders
(ADHD, Anxiety, Depression); Diagnosis of
Common Comorbidities; Recognizing Other
3 Making a Diagnosis
Psychiatric Disorders; Determine if Medication Is
Indicated; Recognize Need for Referral;
References
Formulation; Feedback; Nonmedication
Interventions; Informed Consent; Specific
Consent Issues; Off-label Prescribing; FDA
4 Laying the Groundwork
Boxed Warnings; Triage for Psychiatric and
Social Emergencies; Important Considerations for
Safe and Effective Prescribing; References
Group 1 Medications for General Guidance; Methylphenidate;
5 Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Amphetamine; Guanfacine; Clonidine;
Disorder Atomoxetine; Viloxazine; Summary; References
General Guidance; SSRIs;
Group 1 Medications for Anxiety
6 Serotonin-Noradrenergic Reuptake Inhibitor
and Depression
(Duloxetine); Summary; References
Group 2 Medications:
Rationale; Antipsychotics; The Mood Stabilizer
7 FDA-Approved Antipsychotics
Lithium; Summary; References
and Mood Stabilizers
Other Antidepressants; Other Antipsychotics;
Group 3 Medications: Others
8 Other Mood Stabilizers; Anxiolytics; Sleep Aids;
Commonly Prescribed
Future Considerations; References
Reevaluate Therapies; Reevaluate Medication;
Discontinuing Group 1 Medications; Switching
Group 1 Medications; When to Consider Group 2
9 Fine Tuning Treatment or Lithium; When to Consider Group 3
(Off-label); Drug Levels or Genetic Testing; Can
Genotyping Improve Response?; Consultation or
Second Opinion; References
Reassess Diagnoses; Complex Psychosocial
10 Managing Treatment Impasses Presentations; Expert Consultation or Referral;
References
,Chapter 1.
Section: Guiding Psychopharmacology Principles
Q1. Before initiating any psychotropic in a pediatric
patient, which principle is most important?
A. Maximizing dosage early to assess tolerability
B. Starting with adult dosing guidelines
C. “Start low, go slow” titration
D. Immediate discontinuation if mild side effects appear
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: “Start low, go slow” minimizes adverse effects
and allows gradual assessment of efficacy and tolerability.
Adult dosing is inappropriate (B); aggressive early dosing
(A) increases risk; mild side effects often abate or can be
managed without stopping therapy (D).
Q2. Which safety concern is least relevant when
prescribing SSRIs to children?
A. Increased risk of suicidality
B. Serotonin syndrome
C. Growth plate closure
D. Behavioral activation
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: SSRIs carry warnings for suicidality (A),
serotonin syndrome (B), and activation (D). There’s no
evidence SSRIs affect growth plate closure in children (C),
making it the least relevant concern.
Q3. The concept of “efficacy” in pediatric
psychopharmacology refers to:
A. Theoretical benefit based on adult studies
B. Real-world symptom reduction in children
C. Manufacturer’s guaranteed outcome
D. Dose used in population surveys
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Efficacy means the treatment produces
meaningful symptom reduction in the target pediatric
population. Extrapolation from adults (A) is less reliable;
guarantees (C) don’t exist; survey dosing (D) doesn’t
measure outcomes.
Q4. Which statement best reflects the principle of
evidence-based prescribing?
Guiding Psychopharmacology Principles;
Additional Guiding Principles; Organization and
1 Getting Started
Overview; Selected Changes and Updates in Third
Edition
Rationale for the Conceptual Framework; Group 1
Conceptual Framework for
Medications for ADHD, Anxiety, and Depression;
2 Prescribing Psychotropic
Group 2 Medications; Group 3 Medications;
Medications
References
Overview; Diagnosis of Common Disorders
(ADHD, Anxiety, Depression); Diagnosis of
Common Comorbidities; Recognizing Other
3 Making a Diagnosis
Psychiatric Disorders; Determine if Medication Is
Indicated; Recognize Need for Referral;
References
Formulation; Feedback; Nonmedication
Interventions; Informed Consent; Specific
Consent Issues; Off-label Prescribing; FDA
4 Laying the Groundwork
Boxed Warnings; Triage for Psychiatric and
Social Emergencies; Important Considerations for
Safe and Effective Prescribing; References
Group 1 Medications for General Guidance; Methylphenidate;
5 Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Amphetamine; Guanfacine; Clonidine;
Disorder Atomoxetine; Viloxazine; Summary; References
General Guidance; SSRIs;
Group 1 Medications for Anxiety
6 Serotonin-Noradrenergic Reuptake Inhibitor
and Depression
(Duloxetine); Summary; References
Group 2 Medications:
Rationale; Antipsychotics; The Mood Stabilizer
7 FDA-Approved Antipsychotics
Lithium; Summary; References
and Mood Stabilizers
Other Antidepressants; Other Antipsychotics;
Group 3 Medications: Others
8 Other Mood Stabilizers; Anxiolytics; Sleep Aids;
Commonly Prescribed
Future Considerations; References
Reevaluate Therapies; Reevaluate Medication;
Discontinuing Group 1 Medications; Switching
Group 1 Medications; When to Consider Group 2
9 Fine Tuning Treatment or Lithium; When to Consider Group 3
(Off-label); Drug Levels or Genetic Testing; Can
Genotyping Improve Response?; Consultation or
Second Opinion; References
Reassess Diagnoses; Complex Psychosocial
10 Managing Treatment Impasses Presentations; Expert Consultation or Referral;
References
,Chapter 1.
Section: Guiding Psychopharmacology Principles
Q1. Before initiating any psychotropic in a pediatric
patient, which principle is most important?
A. Maximizing dosage early to assess tolerability
B. Starting with adult dosing guidelines
C. “Start low, go slow” titration
D. Immediate discontinuation if mild side effects appear
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: “Start low, go slow” minimizes adverse effects
and allows gradual assessment of efficacy and tolerability.
Adult dosing is inappropriate (B); aggressive early dosing
(A) increases risk; mild side effects often abate or can be
managed without stopping therapy (D).
Q2. Which safety concern is least relevant when
prescribing SSRIs to children?
A. Increased risk of suicidality
B. Serotonin syndrome
C. Growth plate closure
D. Behavioral activation
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: SSRIs carry warnings for suicidality (A),
serotonin syndrome (B), and activation (D). There’s no
evidence SSRIs affect growth plate closure in children (C),
making it the least relevant concern.
Q3. The concept of “efficacy” in pediatric
psychopharmacology refers to:
A. Theoretical benefit based on adult studies
B. Real-world symptom reduction in children
C. Manufacturer’s guaranteed outcome
D. Dose used in population surveys
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Efficacy means the treatment produces
meaningful symptom reduction in the target pediatric
population. Extrapolation from adults (A) is less reliable;
guarantees (C) don’t exist; survey dosing (D) doesn’t
measure outcomes.
Q4. Which statement best reflects the principle of
evidence-based prescribing?
