Psychosis: 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 · Psychosis

Sample item

Which feature favors delirium over primary psychosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Fluctuating attention and altered consciousness

Delirium is an acute fluctuating disturbance of attention and awareness, often with perceptual changes, unlike primary psychosis with clear consciousness.

Option by option

  • A. Longstanding negative symptoms

    Negative symptoms suggest chronic schizophrenia.

  • B. Stable orientation throughout

    Stable orientation argues against delirium.

  • C. Systematized persecutory delusion only

    Delusions alone can occur in psychosis.

  • D. Fluctuating attention and altered consciousness (correct)

    Correct: inattention and fluctuation are core delirium features.

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 D, Fluctuating attention and altered consciousness. Delirium is an acute fluctuating disturbance of attention and awareness, often with perceptual changes, unlike primary psychosis with clear consciousness.

Why is "Longstanding negative symptoms" not the answer?

Negative symptoms suggest chronic schizophrenia.

Why is "Stable orientation throughout" not the answer?

Stable orientation argues against delirium.

Why is "Systematized persecutory delusion only" not the answer?

Delusions alone can occur in psychosis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychosis in Psychiatry. The correct option holds because: Correct: inattention and fluctuation are core delirium features.

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 Psychosis?

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.