Schizophrenia: residual type: practice question

A Psychiatry 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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Psychiatry · Schizophrenia: residual type

Sample item

In ICD-10, a man with a 15-year history of schizophrenia now shows blunted affect, poverty of speech and social withdrawal, with no hallucinations or delusions for the past three years. Which subtype applies?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Residual schizophrenia

Residual schizophrenia is a chronic stage following at least one clear psychotic episode, with prominent negative symptoms and no current florid psychosis. Eccentric behaviour and blunted affect are typical. It signals a deteriorating course.

Option by option

  • A. Residual schizophrenia (correct)

    Correct. Persistent negative symptoms after past psychosis define residual schizophrenia.

  • B. Paranoid schizophrenia

    Paranoid type has current delusions and hallucinations.

  • C. Catatonic schizophrenia

    Catatonic type is dominated by motor signs such as stupor or posturing.

  • D. Brief psychotic disorder

    Brief psychotic disorder lasts less than one month and resolves fully.

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.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is A, Residual schizophrenia. Residual schizophrenia is a chronic stage following at least one clear psychotic episode, with prominent negative symptoms and no current florid psychosis.

Why is "Paranoid schizophrenia" not the answer?

Paranoid type has current delusions and hallucinations.

Why is "Catatonic schizophrenia" not the answer?

Catatonic type is dominated by motor signs such as stupor or posturing.

Why is "Brief psychotic disorder" not the answer?

Brief psychotic disorder lasts less than one month and resolves fully.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Schizophrenia: residual type in Psychiatry. Eccentric behaviour and blunted affect are typical. It signals a deteriorating course.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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 Schizophrenia: residual type?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry 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.