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 term describes a patient's sustained subjective emotional state?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Mood

Mood is the patient's internally experienced emotional state over time, commonly elicited by asking how they have been feeling recently.

Option by option

  • A. Affect

    Affect is the observable emotional display.

  • B. Orientation

    Orientation concerns awareness of person, place, and time.

  • C. Perception

    Perception concerns sensory experiences.

  • D. Mood (correct)

    Correct: mood is the subjective sustained emotional state.

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 D, Mood. Mood is the patient's internally experienced emotional state over time, commonly elicited by asking how they have been feeling recently.

Why is "Affect" not the answer?

Affect is the observable emotional display.

Why is "Orientation" not the answer?

Orientation concerns awareness of person, place, and time.

Why is "Perception" not the answer?

Perception concerns sensory experiences.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mental state examination in Psychiatry. The correct option holds because: Correct: mood is the subjective sustained emotional state.

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.