Sleep disorders: nightmares versus night terrors: 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 · Sleep disorders: nightmares versus night terrors

Sample item

A child wakes frightened from a vivid dream about being chased, is alert, comforts easily and describes the dream in detail. This is

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. A nightmare arising from REM sleep

Nightmares occur in REM sleep, typically in the later night. The child wakes easily, is oriented and recalls the dream. Night terrors occur in early-night slow wave sleep with amnesia.

Option by option

  • A. Narcolepsy

    Narcolepsy involves excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy.

  • B. A nightmare arising from REM sleep (correct)

    Correct. A recalled frightening dream with easy waking is a nightmare.

  • C. Sleepwalking

    Sleepwalking is a motor behaviour from N3 with amnesia.

  • D. A night terror arising from N3

    Night terrors cause incomplete arousal and amnesia.

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 B, A nightmare arising from REM sleep. Nightmares occur in REM sleep, typically in the later night.

Why is "Narcolepsy" not the answer?

Narcolepsy involves excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy.

Why is "Sleepwalking" not the answer?

Sleepwalking is a motor behaviour from N3 with amnesia.

Why is "A night terror arising from N3" not the answer?

Night terrors cause incomplete arousal and amnesia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Sleep disorders: nightmares versus night terrors in Psychiatry. The child wakes easily, is oriented and recalls the dream. Night terrors occur in early-night slow wave sleep with amnesia.

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 Sleep disorders: nightmares versus night terrors?

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.