Neurology: Wilson disease: practice question

A General Medicine 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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General Medicine · Neurology: Wilson disease

Sample item

A 17-year-old has tremor, dysarthria, Kayser-Fleischer rings and low serum ceruloplasmin with raised 24-hour urinary copper. What is the treatment?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Copper chelation with penicillamine or trientine, followed by zinc

Wilson disease is autosomal recessive ATP7B mutation causing copper accumulation in liver and basal ganglia. Chelation with penicillamine or trientine removes copper, and zinc blocks gut absorption for maintenance. Transplantation is reserved for acute liver failure or decompensation.

Option by option

  • A. Liver transplant first for all

    Transplant is not first-line in neurological disease.

  • B. Copper chelation with penicillamine or trientine, followed by zinc (correct)

    Correct. Chelators and zinc form the treatment.

  • C. Iron chelation

    Iron chelation is for iron overload.

  • D. Levodopa

    Levodopa does not treat the underlying disorder.

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.

More General Medicine questions

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is B, Copper chelation with penicillamine or trientine, followed by zinc. Wilson disease is autosomal recessive ATP7B mutation causing copper accumulation in liver and basal ganglia.

Why is "Liver transplant first for all" not the answer?

Transplant is not first-line in neurological disease.

Why is "Iron chelation" not the answer?

Iron chelation is for iron overload.

Why is "Levodopa" not the answer?

Levodopa does not treat the underlying disorder.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neurology: Wilson disease in General Medicine. Chelation with penicillamine or trientine removes copper, and zinc blocks gut absorption for maintenance. Transplantation is reserved for acute liver failure or decompensation.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Neurology: Wilson disease?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine 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.