Psychopharmacology: valproate: 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 · Psychopharmacology: valproate

Sample item

Which pre-treatment issue is especially important before prescribing valproate to a person who could become pregnant?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Its major teratogenic risk

Valproate has substantial fetal risks, including neural tube defects and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, so prescribing requires careful risk assessment and counseling. Local regulatory pregnancy-prevention requirements must be followed.

Option by option

  • A. Risk of an acute hypertensive crisis with cheese

    Tyramine reactions are associated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

  • B. Its major teratogenic risk (correct)

    Correct. Teratogenicity is a central safety consideration for valproate.

  • C. Risk of irreversible deafness in all patients

    Irreversible deafness is not its defining reproductive safety issue.

  • D. Mandatory neutrophil monitoring

    Neutrophil monitoring is particularly associated with clozapine.

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 B, Its major teratogenic risk. Valproate has substantial fetal risks, including neural tube defects and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, so prescribing requires careful risk assessment and counseling.

Why is "Risk of an acute hypertensive crisis with cheese" not the answer?

Tyramine reactions are associated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

Why is "Risk of irreversible deafness in all patients" not the answer?

Irreversible deafness is not its defining reproductive safety issue.

Why is "Mandatory neutrophil monitoring" not the answer?

Neutrophil monitoring is particularly associated with clozapine.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychopharmacology: valproate in Psychiatry. Local regulatory pregnancy-prevention requirements must be followed.

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 Psychopharmacology: valproate?

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.