Antipsychotics: Pisa syndrome: 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 · Antipsychotics: Pisa syndrome

Sample item

A patient on risperidone develops a sustained lateral flexion of the trunk to one side while sitting and standing. This is

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Pleurothotonus (Pisa syndrome), a form of tardive or acute dystonia

Pisa syndrome is a dystonia with sustained lateral trunk flexion, associated with antipsychotics and cholinesterase inhibitors. Management is dose reduction or switching and anticholinergic trial. It differs from catatonic posturing, which occurs without drug exposure.

Option by option

  • A. Akathisia

    Akathisia is inner restlessness with an urge to move.

  • B. Catatonic posturing

    Catatonic posturing is voluntary adoption of odd postures as part of catatonia.

  • C. Pleurothotonus (Pisa syndrome), a form of tardive or acute dystonia (correct)

    Correct. Lateral trunk flexion on antipsychotics is Pisa syndrome.

  • D. Tic disorder

    Tics are brief repetitive movements and vocalisations.

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, Pleurothotonus (Pisa syndrome), a form of tardive or acute dystonia. Pisa syndrome is a dystonia with sustained lateral trunk flexion, associated with antipsychotics and cholinesterase inhibitors.

Why is "Akathisia" not the answer?

Akathisia is inner restlessness with an urge to move.

Why is "Catatonic posturing" not the answer?

Catatonic posturing is voluntary adoption of odd postures as part of catatonia.

Why is "Tic disorder" not the answer?

Tics are brief repetitive movements and vocalisations.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antipsychotics: Pisa syndrome in Psychiatry. Management is dose reduction or switching and anticholinergic trial. It differs from catatonic posturing, which occurs without drug exposure.

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 Antipsychotics: Pisa syndrome?

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.