Psychopharmacology: antipsychotic adverse effects: 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 · Psychopharmacology: antipsychotic adverse effects

Sample item

Several months after receiving a dopamine-blocking antipsychotic, a patient develops repetitive lip smacking and choreiform tongue movements. What is the most likely adverse effect?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Tardive dyskinesia

Tardive dyskinesia is a delayed involuntary hyperkinetic movement disorder, commonly affecting the mouth, tongue, and face after prolonged dopamine receptor blockade. It must be distinguished from early extrapyramidal adverse effects.

Option by option

  • A. Akathisia

    Akathisia is subjective inner restlessness with a need to move.

  • B. Parkinsonism

    Drug-induced parkinsonism causes bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremor.

  • C. Acute dystonia

    Acute dystonia occurs early and causes painful sustained postures such as torticollis.

  • D. Tardive dyskinesia (correct)

    Correct. Delayed oro-bucco-lingual movements are classic for tardive dyskinesia.

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 D, Tardive dyskinesia. Tardive dyskinesia is a delayed involuntary hyperkinetic movement disorder, commonly affecting the mouth, tongue, and face after prolonged dopamine receptor blockade.

Why is "Akathisia" not the answer?

Akathisia is subjective inner restlessness with a need to move.

Why is "Parkinsonism" not the answer?

Drug-induced parkinsonism causes bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremor.

Why is "Acute dystonia" not the answer?

Acute dystonia occurs early and causes painful sustained postures such as torticollis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychopharmacology: antipsychotic adverse effects in Psychiatry. It must be distinguished from early extrapyramidal adverse effects.

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: antipsychotic adverse effects?

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.