Delirium: 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 · Delirium

Sample item

What feature distinguishes delirium from dementia?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Acute fluctuating inattention

Delirium develops acutely and fluctuates, with impaired attention and altered arousal, whereas dementia is generally chronic and progressive without early fluctuation.

Option by option

  • A. Acute fluctuating inattention (correct)

    Correct: acute fluctuating inattention is the hallmark of delirium.

  • B. Normal sleep-wake cycle

    Sleep-wake disturbance is common in delirium.

  • C. Stable alertness

    Stable alertness argues against delirium.

  • D. Slow progressive memory loss

    Slow memory decline is more typical of dementia.

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.

More Psychiatry questions

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is A, Acute fluctuating inattention. Delirium develops acutely and fluctuates, with impaired attention and altered arousal, whereas dementia is generally chronic and progressive without early fluctuation.

Why is "Normal sleep-wake cycle" not the answer?

Sleep-wake disturbance is common in delirium.

Why is "Stable alertness" not the answer?

Stable alertness argues against delirium.

Why is "Slow progressive memory loss" not the answer?

Slow memory decline is more typical of dementia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Delirium in Psychiatry. The correct option holds because: Correct: acute fluctuating inattention is the hallmark of delirium.

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 Delirium?

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.