Neurology: status epilepticus: practice question

A General Medicine 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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General Medicine · Neurology: status epilepticus

Sample item

What is the first-line medication for convulsive status epilepticus?

AIntravenous benzodiazepineBHaloperidolCLevodopaDOral phenytoin

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Intravenous benzodiazepine

A rapid benzodiazepine such as IV lorazepam stops seizures promptly; a longer-acting antiseizure medicine is then given to prevent recurrence.

Option by option

A. Intravenous benzodiazepine (correct)
Correct. Benzodiazepines are immediate seizure-terminating drugs.
B. Haloperidol
Haloperidol is an antipsychotic.
C. Levodopa
Levodopa treats Parkinson disease.
D. Oral phenytoin
Oral therapy is too slow in status.

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.

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Intravenous benzodiazepine. A rapid benzodiazepine such as IV lorazepam stops seizures promptly; a longer-acting antiseizure medicine is then given to prevent recurrence.

Why is "Haloperidol" not the answer?

Haloperidol is an antipsychotic.

Why is "Levodopa" not the answer?

Levodopa treats Parkinson disease.

Why is "Oral phenytoin" not the answer?

Oral therapy is too slow in status.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neurology: status epilepticus in General Medicine. The correct option holds because: Correct. Benzodiazepines are immediate seizure-terminating drugs.

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 Neurology: status epilepticus?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine 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.