Geriatric medicine: delirium: 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 · Geriatric medicine: delirium

Sample item

Which bedside test most directly assesses the core cognitive deficit in delirium?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Reciting months backward to assess attention

Inattention is central to delirium and can be tested with tasks such as reciting months backward. Acute onset and fluctuation help distinguish it from chronic dementia.

Option by option

  • A. Reciting months backward to assess attention (correct)

    Correct. Attention testing targets the core delirium deficit.

  • B. Testing remote autobiographical memory only

    Remote memory may be preserved early and is not the defining test.

  • C. Checking ankle reflexes

    Reflexes do not diagnose delirium.

  • D. Measuring visual acuity

    Visual acuity does not assess cognition.

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 General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Reciting months backward to assess attention. Inattention is central to delirium and can be tested with tasks such as reciting months backward.

Why is "Testing remote autobiographical memory only" not the answer?

Remote memory may be preserved early and is not the defining test.

Why is "Checking ankle reflexes" not the answer?

Reflexes do not diagnose delirium.

Why is "Measuring visual acuity" not the answer?

Visual acuity does not assess cognition.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Geriatric medicine: delirium in General Medicine. Acute onset and fluctuation help distinguish it from chronic dementia.

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 Geriatric medicine: delirium?

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.