Antipsychotics: tardive dyskinesia: practice question

A Pharmacology 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.

Try it

Pharmacology · Antipsychotics: tardive dyskinesia

Sample item

A woman on long-term perphenazine develops persistent lip smacking and tongue protrusion. Which drug class is approved for treating this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. VMAT2 inhibitors such as valbenazine and deutetrabenazine

Tardive dyskinesia reflects dopamine receptor supersensitivity after chronic D2 blockade, and VMAT2 inhibitors reduce dopamine release. Anticholinergics may worsen it, so they are avoided.

Option by option

  • A. VMAT2 inhibitors such as valbenazine and deutetrabenazine (correct)

    Correct. VMAT2 inhibitors are specific treatments.

  • B. Higher-dose antipsychotic only

    Higher doses mask but do not treat it.

  • C. Anticholinergics such as trihexyphenidyl

    Anticholinergics can worsen tardive dyskinesia.

  • D. Beta blockers

    Beta blockers help akathisia, not tardive dyskinesia.

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 Pharmacology questions

Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is A, VMAT2 inhibitors such as valbenazine and deutetrabenazine. Tardive dyskinesia reflects dopamine receptor supersensitivity after chronic D2 blockade, and VMAT2 inhibitors reduce dopamine release.

Why is "Higher-dose antipsychotic only" not the answer?

Higher doses mask but do not treat it.

Why is "Anticholinergics such as trihexyphenidyl" not the answer?

Anticholinergics can worsen tardive dyskinesia.

Why is "Beta blockers" not the answer?

Beta blockers help akathisia, not tardive dyskinesia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antipsychotics: tardive dyskinesia in Pharmacology. Anticholinergics may worsen it, so they are avoided.

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 Antipsychotics: tardive dyskinesia?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology 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.