Which of the following ADHD medications is not a stimulant?
Adderall
Strattera
Vyvanse
Ritalin
The Correct Answer is B
A. Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) is a stimulant that increases dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain, improving focus and impulse control in individuals with ADHD. It is a Schedule II controlled substance due to its potential for abuse and dependence.
B. Strattera (atomoxetine) is a non-stimulant medication used for ADHD. It is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI) that helps with attention and impulse control but has a lower risk of abuse compared to stimulant medications. Unlike stimulants, it may take several weeks to show full effects.
C. Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is a stimulant that is a prodrug of dextroamphetamine, meaning it must be metabolized in the body before becoming active. This mechanism provides a longer, smoother effect with a lower potential for abuse compared to immediate-release stimulants.
D. Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a stimulant that increases dopamine and norepinephrine activity in the brain, improving focus and impulse control. It is commonly used in both children and adults with ADHD and has short-acting, intermediate, and long-acting formulations.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Mesolimbic pathway is associated with reward, motivation, and emotions and is hyperactive in schizophrenia, leading to positive symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. Antipsychotic medications work by blocking dopamine (D2) receptors in this pathway, reducing psychotic symptoms.
B. Nigrostriatal pathway controls motor function and coordination. Dopamine blockade in this pathway leads to extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) such as tremors, rigidity, and tardive dyskinesia, which are common side effects of first-generation antipsychotics (typical antipsychotics).
C. Tuberoinfundibular pathway regulates prolactin secretion. Dopamine inhibits prolactin release, so blocking D2 receptors with antipsychotics leads to increased prolactin levels, causing gynecomastia, galactorrhea, and menstrual irregularities.
D. Mesocortical pathway is responsible for cognition, motivation, and emotional regulation. In schizophrenia, this pathway is hypoactive, contributing to negative symptoms such as apathy, social withdrawal, and cognitive impairment.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Hallucinations are a core positive symptom of schizophrenia and involve false sensory perceptions without an external stimulus (e.g., hearing voices, seeing things that are not there). According to the DSM-5, hallucinations are one of the three essential symptoms that must be present for a diagnosis.
B. Delusions are fixed, false beliefs that persist despite evidence to the contrary (e.g., persecutory delusions, grandiose delusions). Delusions are a hallmark symptom of schizophrenia and are required as a diagnostic criterion if present.
C. Disorganized speech reflects disorganized thinking, a key symptom of schizophrenia. It includes incoherence, tangentiality, and word salad, demonstrating the cognitive dysfunction associated with the disorder. If disorganized speech is present, it fulfils one of the primary diagnostic criteria.
D. Negative symptoms such as avolition, anhedonia, alogia, and flat affect, are common in schizophrenia but are not required for diagnosis. According to the DSM-5, at least one of the following three symptoms hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized speech must be present to meet the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia.
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