Sleep disorders: narcolepsy: 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 · Sleep disorders: narcolepsy

Sample item

Sudden loss of muscle tone triggered by laughter in a sleepy young adult is called what?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Cataplexy

Cataplexy is abrupt bilateral loss of muscle tone triggered by emotion, while consciousness is preserved. It is strongly associated with narcolepsy and orexin deficiency.

Option by option

  • A. Night terror

    Night terrors arise from N3 sleep with autonomic arousal.

  • B. Cataplexy (correct)

    Correct. Emotion-triggered atonia with preserved awareness is cataplexy.

  • C. Sleep paralysis

    Sleep paralysis occurs at sleep-wake transitions.

  • D. Restless legs syndrome

    Restless legs causes an urge to move the legs at rest.

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, Cataplexy. Cataplexy is abrupt bilateral loss of muscle tone triggered by emotion, while consciousness is preserved.

Why is "Night terror" not the answer?

Night terrors arise from N3 sleep with autonomic arousal.

Why is "Sleep paralysis" not the answer?

Sleep paralysis occurs at sleep-wake transitions.

Why is "Restless legs syndrome" not the answer?

Restless legs causes an urge to move the legs at rest.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Sleep disorders: narcolepsy in Psychiatry. It is strongly associated with narcolepsy and orexin deficiency.

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 Sleep disorders: narcolepsy?

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.