Trauma: prazosin for nightmares: 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 · Trauma: prazosin for nightmares

Sample item

A veteran with PTSD on sertraline continues to have distressing trauma-related nightmares. Which drug is often added for this symptom?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Prazosin

Prazosin, an alpha-1 blocker, reduces trauma-related nightmares and sleep disturbance in PTSD by dampening noradrenergic hyperarousal. Postural hypotension is the main side effect, so the first dose is given at night. Evidence is mixed in some trials but it remains widely used.

Option by option

  • A. Lithium

    Lithium has no role in PTSD nightmares.

  • B. Amitriptyline at high dose

    High-dose amitriptyline carries cardiotoxicity risk and is not the usual choice.

  • C. Prazosin (correct)

    Correct. Prazosin targets noradrenergic arousal and nightmares.

  • D. Haloperidol

    Haloperidol is not recommended for PTSD nightmares.

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 C, Prazosin. Prazosin, an alpha-1 blocker, reduces trauma-related nightmares and sleep disturbance in PTSD by dampening noradrenergic hyperarousal.

Why is "Lithium" not the answer?

Lithium has no role in PTSD nightmares.

Why is "Amitriptyline at high dose" not the answer?

High-dose amitriptyline carries cardiotoxicity risk and is not the usual choice.

Why is "Haloperidol" not the answer?

Haloperidol is not recommended for PTSD nightmares.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Trauma: prazosin for nightmares in Psychiatry. Postural hypotension is the main side effect, so the first dose is given at night. Evidence is mixed in some trials but it remains widely used.

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 Trauma: prazosin for nightmares?

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.