Ritalin for a Normal Boy

Mock MCAT Question

Ritalin for a Normal Boy

Teresa T and George L, two highly educated and successful professionals, bring their son, Mike, into the office of his pediatrician, Dr. S, with some concerns about Mike’s Behavior. In school the boy has had difficulties sitting still and following directions, and sometimes has trouble concentrating on his studies both in school and at home. Dr. S is convinced that the boy does not have Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or any other condition meriting a diagnosis. Despite this, Teresa T and George L to write a prescription for Ritalin for Mike. They have read that Ritalin can help children (and adults) to improve their concentration regardless of whether they have a medical diagnosis. Although Dr. S is aware that Ritalin and other stimulants are sometimes prescribed to children like Mike, he expresses reservations about prescribing cognition-affecting medications for children who are basically well. His reservations persist when further discussion reveals that Teresa T and George L are thinking of administering Ritalin to Mike only occasionally, when he needs to prepare for and take a test or complete a difficult assignment.

1. Which of the following be describes the situation being described in the passage?

1. Teresa T and George L brought their son to Dr. S to get a prescription for Ritalin that they would give to their son daily to assist with his Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
2. Teresa T and George L went to see Dr. S to get a prescription for Ritalin for themselves as they felt in order to be successful professionals they needed help concentrating.
3. Teresa T and George L brought their son to Dr. S to get a prescription for Ritalin that they would give their son occasionally to help him prepare for tests and complete difficult assignments.
4. Dr. S diagnosed Mike with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and would like to prescribe Ritalin. Mike’s parent Teresa T and George L have reservations about giving their son cognition-affecting medications.

The correct answer is C. This is the right answer because it correctly describes what occurred in the passage. In order to get this question right, you have had to thoroughly read through the passage.

1. The author uses the term “cognition-affecting” to describe Ritalin’s effect on children, in the context of this passage, what does “cognition-affecting” mean?

1. That Ritalin improves concentration in children
2. That Ritalin affects how children think about their world
3. That Ritalin changes what children think about
4. That Ritalin makes children only think about school work

The correct answer is A. This question asks about the term cognition-affecting in the context of this passage. The passage directly says that the effect of Ritalin can help improve concentration.

1. Dr. S’s reservations about prescribing Mike Ritalin are further exacerbated when he learns how his parents intend to dispense their son’s medication. This implies that:

1. Dr. S is confused about the best practice and use guidelines for Ritalin
2. Dr. S is conflicted about his ethical obligation to his patient and his patient’s guardians
3. Dr. S is relieved that his patient’s has parents who only want what is best for their child
4. Dr. S is glad that his patient’s parents only want to medicate him occasionally

The correct answer is B. To get this question right a reader must ingrate and extrapolate Dr. S’s concerns for his patient.

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