Psychosis: 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.

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Psychiatry · Psychosis: antipsychotic adverse effects

Sample item

A patient taking haloperidol develops fever, severe rigidity, autonomic instability and raised creatine kinase. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a life-threatening dopamine-blockade reaction with lead-pipe rigidity, hyperthermia and elevated CK. Stop the antipsychotic and provide urgent supportive care.

Option by option

  • A. Serotonin syndrome

    Serotonin syndrome more often has clonus and hyperreflexia.

  • B. Malignant hyperthermia

    Malignant hyperthermia follows triggering anaesthetics in susceptible patients.

  • C. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (correct)

    Correct. The syndrome follows dopamine antagonism and causes severe rigidity.

  • D. Acute dystonia

    Acute dystonia is focal sustained spasm without this systemic syndrome.

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, Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a life-threatening dopamine-blockade reaction with lead-pipe rigidity, hyperthermia and elevated CK.

Why is "Serotonin syndrome" not the answer?

Serotonin syndrome more often has clonus and hyperreflexia.

Why is "Malignant hyperthermia" not the answer?

Malignant hyperthermia follows triggering anaesthetics in susceptible patients.

Why is "Acute dystonia" not the answer?

Acute dystonia is focal sustained spasm without this systemic syndrome.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychosis: antipsychotic adverse effects in Psychiatry. Stop the antipsychotic and provide urgent supportive care.

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 Psychosis: 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.