AIIMS Patna NO - 2020
Mental Health Nursing
Easy

Which one of the following is NOT a characteristic of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?

Appeared in: AIIMS Patna NO - 2020

Explanation

  • Difficulty in eating is not a primary diagnostic symptom of ADHD according to standard criteria like the DSM-5.
  • While some individuals with ADHD may have comorbid conditions or experience medication side effects (e.g., appetite suppression from stimulants) that affect eating, it is not a core feature of the disorder itself.
  • The core characteristics of ADHD are a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that impairs functioning.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: This is incorrect because inattention is a primary, defining characteristic of ADHD, particularly for the predominantly inattentive presentation.
  • Option B: This is incorrect because impulsivity, such as acting without forethought and interrupting others, is a core feature of the hyperactive/impulsive presentation of ADHD.
  • Option D: This is incorrect because overactivity, also known as hyperactivity, is one of the main symptom clusters of ADHD, involving excessive movement and restlessness.

Related Visual

A chart with three columns for the core symptoms of ADHD Inattention, Hyperactivity, Impulsivity, listing 3-4 specific behavioral examples under each column, based on DSM-5 cr...
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Core symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • Nurses play a key role in identifying potential ADHD symptoms in children during routine check-ups and referring them for specialized evaluation. Recognizing the core symptoms is the first step.
  • It is crucial for nurses to educate parents about ADHD, distinguishing core symptoms from other behaviors, and providing guidance on management strategies and potential medication side effects.
  • What if? If a child with ADHD on stimulant medication reports a significant loss of appetite and subsequent weight loss, the nurse's priority is to assess the severity, check growth charts, and collaborate with the prescriber. The action might involve adjusting the medication's dose, timing, or switching to a different formulation or drug.
How to Approach the Question
  • First, identify the negative keyword 'NOT' in the question. This signals that you are looking for the option that does not belong or is false.
  • Recall the core symptoms of ADHD. The name itself, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, points to the two main clusters: inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.
  • Evaluate each option against the known characteristics of ADHD.
  • Inattention, Impulsivity, and Overactivity (Hyperactivity) are all well-established, defining symptoms of the disorder.
  • Difficulty in eating is not listed as a primary diagnostic criterion in major classification systems like the DSM-5.
  • Conclude that 'Difficulty in eating' is the correct answer because it is the only option that is not a core characteristic of ADHD.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Core symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Stem keywords: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD, characteristic
  • Lead-in keywords: NOT
  • Negative lead-in flag: The question asks to identify the option that is NOT a characteristic of ADHD.

Question ID

QxTO022MQwgt7GLXircZZ9

Reference Book

E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) p. 421-423

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) pp. 12108-12110, 12146-12148

Practise the full AIIMS Patna NO - 2020

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.

More Behavioural & Emotional Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence Questions

More AIIMS Patna NO - 2020 Questions