Substance use: disulfiram reaction: 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 · Substance use: disulfiram reaction

Sample item

A patient on disulfiram drinks alcohol and develops flushing, throbbing headache, nausea, hypotension and palpitations. Which metabolite accumulates?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Acetaldehyde

Disulfiram inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase, so acetaldehyde accumulates after alcohol intake, producing the unpleasant reaction. Treatment is supportive with fluids, and the drug should only be given with the patient's knowledge and consent. It is avoided in severe heart disease and psychosis.

Option by option

  • A. Acetaldehyde (correct)

    Correct. Acetaldehyde accumulates when aldehyde dehydrogenase is inhibited.

  • B. Formic acid

    Formic acid is a toxic metabolite of methanol.

  • C. Methanol

    Methanol accumulation relates to methanol poisoning.

  • D. Acetone

    Acetone accumulates in ketosis.

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, Acetaldehyde. Disulfiram inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase, so acetaldehyde accumulates after alcohol intake, producing the unpleasant reaction.

Why is "Formic acid" not the answer?

Formic acid is a toxic metabolite of methanol.

Why is "Methanol" not the answer?

Methanol accumulation relates to methanol poisoning.

Why is "Acetone" not the answer?

Acetone accumulates in ketosis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Substance use: disulfiram reaction in Psychiatry. Treatment is supportive with fluids, and the drug should only be given with the patient's knowledge and consent. It is avoided in severe heart disease and psychosis.

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 Substance use: disulfiram reaction?

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.