Conversion disorder: Hoover sign: 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 · Conversion disorder: Hoover sign

Sample item

In a patient with functional leg weakness, the examiner places a hand under the heel of the weak leg and asks the patient to lift the other leg against resistance. Downward pressure from the weak leg appears. This is

ARomberg signBBabinski signCHoover sign, suggesting functional weaknessDKernig sign

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Hoover sign, suggesting functional weakness

Hoover sign shows involuntary hip extension of the weak leg when the contralateral leg is flexed against resistance, though the patient cannot voluntarily lift the weak leg. It supports functional weakness and is a positive sign rather than a diagnosis of exclusion. It is absent in organic paresis.

Option by option

A. Romberg sign
Romberg sign is loss of balance on eye closure in sensory ataxia.
B. Babinski sign
Babinski sign is an upgoing plantar response in upper motor neuron lesions.
C. Hoover sign, suggesting functional weakness (correct)
Correct. Involuntary extension of the weak leg indicates functional weakness.
D. Kernig sign
Kernig sign indicates meningeal irritation.

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 C, Hoover sign, suggesting functional weakness. Hoover sign shows involuntary hip extension of the weak leg when the contralateral leg is flexed against resistance, though the patient cannot voluntarily lift the weak leg.

Why is "Romberg sign" not the answer?

Romberg sign is loss of balance on eye closure in sensory ataxia.

Why is "Babinski sign" not the answer?

Babinski sign is an upgoing plantar response in upper motor neuron lesions.

Why is "Kernig sign" not the answer?

Kernig sign indicates meningeal irritation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Conversion disorder: Hoover sign in Psychiatry. It supports functional weakness and is a positive sign rather than a diagnosis of exclusion. It is absent in organic paresis.

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 Conversion disorder: Hoover sign?

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.