Pharmacology: SSRIs: 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 · Pharmacology: SSRIs

Sample item

A patient develops agitation, diarrhoea, inducible clonus and hyperreflexia soon after combining sertraline with linezolid. What is the likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Serotonin syndrome

Serotonin excess causes neuromuscular hyperactivity, autonomic changes and altered mental state; clonus and hyperreflexia are helpful clues. Linezolid has monoamine oxidase-inhibiting activity.

Option by option

  • A. Lithium toxicity

    Lithium toxicity causes tremor and neurologic symptoms but not this classic drug interaction pattern.

  • B. Serotonin syndrome (correct)

    Correct. The medication combination and clonus support serotonin toxicity.

  • C. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

    NMS has dopamine blockade, lead-pipe rigidity and slower onset.

  • D. Anticholinergic toxicity

    Anticholinergic toxicity causes dry skin, mydriasis and urinary retention.

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 B, Serotonin syndrome. Serotonin excess causes neuromuscular hyperactivity, autonomic changes and altered mental state; clonus and hyperreflexia are helpful clues.

Why is "Lithium toxicity" not the answer?

Lithium toxicity causes tremor and neurologic symptoms but not this classic drug interaction pattern.

Why is "Neuroleptic malignant syndrome" not the answer?

NMS has dopamine blockade, lead-pipe rigidity and slower onset.

Why is "Anticholinergic toxicity" not the answer?

Anticholinergic toxicity causes dry skin, mydriasis and urinary retention.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pharmacology: SSRIs in Psychiatry. Linezolid has monoamine oxidase-inhibiting activity.

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 Pharmacology: SSRIs?

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.