NURS 535 Practice Exam Questions with
Verified Answers
DSM 5 Criteria for ADHD - ✔✔A persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-
impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development as characterized by (1) and/or (2)
1. Inattention: 6 or more of the following symptoms have persisted for at least 6 months and
are inconsistent with developmental levels and negatively impact social and
academic/occupational activities (for older adolescents (17+) and adults at least 5 symptoms
are required)
Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in
the workplace
Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
Often avoids, dislikes or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort
Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities
Is often forgetful in daily activities
2. Hyperactivity and impulsivity: 6 or more of the following symptoms have persisted for at
least 6 months and are inconsistent with developmental levels and negatively impact social and
academic/occupational activities (for older adolescents(17+) and adults at least 5 symptoms are
required)
Often fidgets with or taps hands or feet or squirms in seat
Often leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected
Often runs about or climbs in situations where it is inappropriate
Often unable to play or engage in leisure activities quietly
Is often "on the go" acting as if "driven by a motor"
Often talks excessively
Often blurts out an answer before a question has been completed (e.g. completes other
people's sentences; cannot wait for turn in conversation)
,Often has difficulty waiting his or her turn
Often interrupts or intrudes on others
Several inattentiv
What are the two different presentations for ADHD? - ✔✔Combined presentation: If both
criterion A1 (inattention) and criterion A2 (HI) are met for past 6 months
Predominantly inattentive presentation: if A1 is met but A2 is not met for the past 6 months
Predominantly HI: if A2 is met but not A1 is not for the past 6 months
How do you specify the severity of ADHD? - ✔✔Mild: few, if any, symptoms in excess of those
required to make the diagnosis are present, and symptoms result in no more than minor
impairments in social or occupational functioning
Moderate: symptoms or functional impairment between mile and severe are present
Severe: many symptoms in excess of those required to make the diagnosis, or several
symptoms that are particularly severe, are present, or the symptoms result in marked
impairment in social or occupational functioning
How do you specify the duration of ADHD? - ✔✔In partial remission: when full criteria were
previously met, fewer than full criteria have been met for the past 6 months, and the symptoms
still result in impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning
What are some associated features with an individual diagnosed ADHD? - ✔✔Mild delays in
language, motor or social development often co-occur
Academic or work performance is often impaired
Individuals may exhibit cognitive problems on tests of attention, executive function, or
memory, although these tests are not sufficiently sensitive or specific to serve as diagnostic
indices
What is the prevalence of ADHD? - ✔✔5% of children, 2.5% of adults
, Does ADHD present more in males or females? - ✔✔Approximate ratio of 2:1 males to females
What treatments are most effective in treating ADHD? - ✔✔Pharmacological: such as
psychostimulants, atomoxetine, alpha-2 agonists
Behavioral and psychosocial treatments: parent training and social skills training, cognitive
training, neurofeedback
How would a clients age influence their course of treatment? (ADHD) - ✔✔Starting with bx
treatment is best for preschool age children because there is less evidence of the efficacy of
pharmacological interventions for this age cohort and there are less risks
Pharmacological interventions are more efficacious in adults than non-pharmacological ones
How does the severity of a clients disorder influence their course of treatment? (ADHD) -
✔✔Theres a treatment continuum for the severity of ADHD. Mild to moderate cases might do
fine with just therapy while more severe cases need a combination of therapy and medication
How do a clients comorbidities influence their course of treatment? (ADHD) - ✔✔Disruptive
disorders: Stimulants reduce the symptoms of ODD/CD with large effect sizes
Tic disorders: non- stimulants might be necessary because stimulants might exacerbate the
effects of the tic disorder
Mood and psychotic disorders: priortize treating these comorbidities because they may
exacerbate ADHD symptoms
Which treatments for ADHD are less effective and why? - ✔✔Neurofeedback: It has no effect
on core ADHD symptoms
Antidepressants:seen as a 3rd or 4th line option, the evidence for efficacy is poor
Cognitive training: has no effect on core ADHD symptoms, however there is moderate efficacy
in improving the performance of specific neuropsychological functions
Dietary modifications: effect sizes not large enough to be conclusive, however FFD and AFC
diets have clinically small effects and few adverse affects
Verified Answers
DSM 5 Criteria for ADHD - ✔✔A persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-
impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development as characterized by (1) and/or (2)
1. Inattention: 6 or more of the following symptoms have persisted for at least 6 months and
are inconsistent with developmental levels and negatively impact social and
academic/occupational activities (for older adolescents (17+) and adults at least 5 symptoms
are required)
Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in
the workplace
Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
Often avoids, dislikes or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort
Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities
Is often forgetful in daily activities
2. Hyperactivity and impulsivity: 6 or more of the following symptoms have persisted for at
least 6 months and are inconsistent with developmental levels and negatively impact social and
academic/occupational activities (for older adolescents(17+) and adults at least 5 symptoms are
required)
Often fidgets with or taps hands or feet or squirms in seat
Often leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected
Often runs about or climbs in situations where it is inappropriate
Often unable to play or engage in leisure activities quietly
Is often "on the go" acting as if "driven by a motor"
Often talks excessively
Often blurts out an answer before a question has been completed (e.g. completes other
people's sentences; cannot wait for turn in conversation)
,Often has difficulty waiting his or her turn
Often interrupts or intrudes on others
Several inattentiv
What are the two different presentations for ADHD? - ✔✔Combined presentation: If both
criterion A1 (inattention) and criterion A2 (HI) are met for past 6 months
Predominantly inattentive presentation: if A1 is met but A2 is not met for the past 6 months
Predominantly HI: if A2 is met but not A1 is not for the past 6 months
How do you specify the severity of ADHD? - ✔✔Mild: few, if any, symptoms in excess of those
required to make the diagnosis are present, and symptoms result in no more than minor
impairments in social or occupational functioning
Moderate: symptoms or functional impairment between mile and severe are present
Severe: many symptoms in excess of those required to make the diagnosis, or several
symptoms that are particularly severe, are present, or the symptoms result in marked
impairment in social or occupational functioning
How do you specify the duration of ADHD? - ✔✔In partial remission: when full criteria were
previously met, fewer than full criteria have been met for the past 6 months, and the symptoms
still result in impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning
What are some associated features with an individual diagnosed ADHD? - ✔✔Mild delays in
language, motor or social development often co-occur
Academic or work performance is often impaired
Individuals may exhibit cognitive problems on tests of attention, executive function, or
memory, although these tests are not sufficiently sensitive or specific to serve as diagnostic
indices
What is the prevalence of ADHD? - ✔✔5% of children, 2.5% of adults
, Does ADHD present more in males or females? - ✔✔Approximate ratio of 2:1 males to females
What treatments are most effective in treating ADHD? - ✔✔Pharmacological: such as
psychostimulants, atomoxetine, alpha-2 agonists
Behavioral and psychosocial treatments: parent training and social skills training, cognitive
training, neurofeedback
How would a clients age influence their course of treatment? (ADHD) - ✔✔Starting with bx
treatment is best for preschool age children because there is less evidence of the efficacy of
pharmacological interventions for this age cohort and there are less risks
Pharmacological interventions are more efficacious in adults than non-pharmacological ones
How does the severity of a clients disorder influence their course of treatment? (ADHD) -
✔✔Theres a treatment continuum for the severity of ADHD. Mild to moderate cases might do
fine with just therapy while more severe cases need a combination of therapy and medication
How do a clients comorbidities influence their course of treatment? (ADHD) - ✔✔Disruptive
disorders: Stimulants reduce the symptoms of ODD/CD with large effect sizes
Tic disorders: non- stimulants might be necessary because stimulants might exacerbate the
effects of the tic disorder
Mood and psychotic disorders: priortize treating these comorbidities because they may
exacerbate ADHD symptoms
Which treatments for ADHD are less effective and why? - ✔✔Neurofeedback: It has no effect
on core ADHD symptoms
Antidepressants:seen as a 3rd or 4th line option, the evidence for efficacy is poor
Cognitive training: has no effect on core ADHD symptoms, however there is moderate efficacy
in improving the performance of specific neuropsychological functions
Dietary modifications: effect sizes not large enough to be conclusive, however FFD and AFC
diets have clinically small effects and few adverse affects
