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.

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Psychiatry · Mental state examination

Sample item

What bedside task assesses short-term memory?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Recall of recently presented words

Recalling words after a short delay tests recent memory and can help identify deficits in attention, encoding, or retrieval.

Option by option

  • A. Recall of recently presented words (correct)

    Correct: delayed recall directly assesses recent memory.

  • B. Measuring blood pressure

    Blood pressure measurement assesses hemodynamics.

  • C. Visual acuity chart

    Visual charts assess acuity rather than memory.

  • D. Tympanometry

    Tympanometry assesses middle-ear function.

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, Recall of recently presented words. Recalling words after a short delay tests recent memory and can help identify deficits in attention, encoding, or retrieval.

Why is "Measuring blood pressure" not the answer?

Blood pressure measurement assesses hemodynamics.

Why is "Visual acuity chart" not the answer?

Visual charts assess acuity rather than memory.

Why is "Tympanometry" not the answer?

Tympanometry assesses middle-ear function.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mental state examination in Psychiatry. The correct option holds because: Correct: delayed recall directly assesses recent memory.

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.