Child and adolescent psychiatry: adverse effects of methylphenidate: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Child and adolescent psychiatry: adverse effects of methylphenidate

Sample item

An 8-year-old boy has done well on methylphenidate for three months but now eats little at lunch and takes a long time to fall asleep. What explains these effects?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Appetite suppression and insomnia from sympathomimetic action

Stimulants commonly reduce appetite and delay sleep onset, and may slow growth slightly. Doses after meals and weight and height monitoring are advised.

Option by option

  • A. Hypothyroidism

    Hypothyroidism does not fit with the temporal link to the stimulant.

  • B. Allergic reaction to the tablet

    An allergy would present with rash, not these changes.

  • C. Appetite suppression and insomnia from sympathomimetic action (correct)

    Correct. These are typical effects of a stimulant.

  • D. Development of depression

    Depression is not the usual explanation of reduced appetite and sleep delay in a stimulant-treated child.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is C, Appetite suppression and insomnia from sympathomimetic action. Stimulants commonly reduce appetite and delay sleep onset, and may slow growth slightly.

Why is "Hypothyroidism" not the answer?

Hypothyroidism does not fit with the temporal link to the stimulant.

Why is "Allergic reaction to the tablet" not the answer?

An allergy would present with rash, not these changes.

Why is "Development of depression" not the answer?

Depression is not the usual explanation of reduced appetite and sleep delay in a stimulant-treated child.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Child and adolescent psychiatry: adverse effects of methylphenidate in Psychiatry. Doses after meals and weight and height monitoring are advised.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Child and adolescent psychiatry: adverse effects of methylphenidate?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.