Mental state examination: 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 · Mental state examination

Sample item

What is an illusion in psychopathology?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Misinterpretation of a real external stimulus

An illusion is a distorted interpretation of an actual stimulus, whereas a hallucination occurs without an external stimulus.

Option by option

  • A. Misinterpretation of a real external stimulus (correct)

    Correct: real stimulus is misinterpreted.

  • B. Inability to recognize faces

    Prosopagnosia is a recognition deficit.

  • C. Fixed false belief

    Delusion is a false fixed belief.

  • D. Perception without external stimulus

    Hallucination occurs without an external object.

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 A, Misinterpretation of a real external stimulus. An illusion is a distorted interpretation of an actual stimulus, whereas a hallucination occurs without an external stimulus.

Why is "Inability to recognize faces" not the answer?

Prosopagnosia is a recognition deficit.

Why is "Fixed false belief" not the answer?

Delusion is a false fixed belief.

Why is "Perception without external stimulus" not the answer?

Hallucination occurs without an external object.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mental state examination in Psychiatry. The correct option holds because: Correct: real stimulus is misinterpreted.

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 Mental state examination?

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.