Psychiatric emergencies: catatonia: 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 · Psychiatric emergencies: catatonia

Sample item

A severely depressed patient is mute, negativistic, holds an unusual posture for long periods, and has waxy flexibility. After medical assessment, which bedside medication challenge can support the diagnosis and provide initial treatment?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Lorazepam challenge

Catatonia can occur in mood, psychotic, medical, and neurological conditions. A lorazepam challenge may produce rapid improvement and benzodiazepines are a first-line treatment; ECT is considered when severe or refractory.

Option by option

  • A. Naloxone challenge

    Naloxone is used for opioid-related respiratory depression.

  • B. Edrophonium test

    Edrophonium was historically used in myasthenia gravis assessment.

  • C. Lorazepam challenge (correct)

    Correct. Lorazepam response supports catatonia and guides urgent management.

  • D. Dexamethasone suppression test

    The dexamethasone test is not a diagnostic treatment challenge for catatonia.

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 C, Lorazepam challenge. Catatonia can occur in mood, psychotic, medical, and neurological conditions.

Why is "Naloxone challenge" not the answer?

Naloxone is used for opioid-related respiratory depression.

Why is "Edrophonium test" not the answer?

Edrophonium was historically used in myasthenia gravis assessment.

Why is "Dexamethasone suppression test" not the answer?

The dexamethasone test is not a diagnostic treatment challenge for catatonia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychiatric emergencies: catatonia in Psychiatry. A lorazepam challenge may produce rapid improvement and benzodiazepines are a first-line treatment; ECT is considered when severe or refractory.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Psychiatric emergencies: catatonia?

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.