Mental state examination: 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.

Try it

Psychiatry · Mental state examination

Sample item

What cognitive ability allows a patient to sustain focus on a task?

AAttentionBAffectCPerceptionDInsight

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Attention

Attention is the capacity to focus and maintain mental effort, and it is commonly impaired in delirium and other acute confusional states.

Option by option

A. Attention (correct)
Correct: attention is sustained focus on a task.
B. Affect
Affect is visible emotional expression.
C. Perception
Perception concerns how sensory input is experienced.
D. Insight
Insight is awareness of illness and need for care.

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 A, Attention. Attention is the capacity to focus and maintain mental effort, and it is commonly impaired in delirium and other acute confusional states.

Why is "Affect" not the answer?

Affect is visible emotional expression.

Why is "Perception" not the answer?

Perception concerns how sensory input is experienced.

Why is "Insight" not the answer?

Insight is awareness of illness and need for care.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mental state examination in Psychiatry. The correct option holds because: Correct: attention is sustained focus on a task.

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 Mental state examination?

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.