Psychotic disorders: late paraphrenia and hearing loss: 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 · Psychotic disorders: late paraphrenia and hearing loss

Sample item

A 72-year-old woman living alone with severe hearing loss develops well-organised persecutory delusions and voices commenting on her. She has no cognitive impairment. Which factor is most relevant to her presentation?

ASensory impairment and social isolation, a known risk factor for late-onset psychosisBChronic aspirin useCEarly childhood vaccinationDExcess dietary iron

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Sensory impairment and social isolation, a known risk factor for late-onset psychosis

Late-onset schizophrenia-like psychosis, once called late paraphrenia, is associated with female sex, sensory deficits, social isolation and a preserved personality. It responds to low-dose antipsychotics and measures to correct sensory loss. Dementia and delirium must be excluded.

Option by option

A. Sensory impairment and social isolation, a known risk factor for late-onset psychosis (correct)
Correct. Sensory deficit and isolation are recognised associations.
B. Chronic aspirin use
Aspirin is not a cause of late psychosis.
C. Early childhood vaccination
Vaccination is unrelated.
D. Excess dietary iron
Dietary iron is unrelated.

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.

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is A, Sensory impairment and social isolation, a known risk factor for late-onset psychosis. Late-onset schizophrenia-like psychosis, once called late paraphrenia, is associated with female sex, sensory deficits, social isolation and a preserved personality.

Why is "Chronic aspirin use" not the answer?

Aspirin is not a cause of late psychosis.

Why is "Early childhood vaccination" not the answer?

Vaccination is unrelated.

Why is "Excess dietary iron" not the answer?

Dietary iron is unrelated.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychotic disorders: late paraphrenia and hearing loss in Psychiatry. It responds to low-dose antipsychotics and measures to correct sensory loss. Dementia and delirium must be excluded.

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 Psychotic disorders: late paraphrenia and hearing loss?

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.