Psychosis: clozapine: 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: clozapine

Sample item

Why are regular full blood counts mandatory for a patient receiving clozapine?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Risk of agranulocytosis

Clozapine can cause severe neutropenia and agranulocytosis, so structured blood monitoring is mandatory. It is particularly useful in treatment-resistant schizophrenia and for persistent suicidality.

Option by option

  • A. Risk of hemolytic anaemia only

    Haemolysis is not the defining monitoring risk.

  • B. Risk of agranulocytosis (correct)

    Correct. Neutrophil monitoring detects the dangerous hematologic adverse effect.

  • C. Risk of lithium toxicity

    Clozapine monitoring is independent of lithium clearance.

  • D. Risk of cataracts

    Cataracts are not the reason for mandatory blood counts.

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, Risk of agranulocytosis. Clozapine can cause severe neutropenia and agranulocytosis, so structured blood monitoring is mandatory.

Why is "Risk of hemolytic anaemia only" not the answer?

Haemolysis is not the defining monitoring risk.

Why is "Risk of lithium toxicity" not the answer?

Clozapine monitoring is independent of lithium clearance.

Why is "Risk of cataracts" not the answer?

Cataracts are not the reason for mandatory blood counts.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychosis: clozapine in Psychiatry. It is particularly useful in treatment-resistant schizophrenia and for persistent suicidality.

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 Psychosis: clozapine?

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.