Obsessive-compulsive disorder: 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 · Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Sample item

What are compulsions?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Repetitive acts performed to reduce anxiety

Compulsions are repetitive behaviours or mental acts driven by obsessions or rigid rules, intended to reduce distress or prevent feared events.

Option by option

  • A. Repetitive acts performed to reduce anxiety (correct)

    Correct: compulsions are anxiety-reducing repetitive acts.

  • B. Episodes of amnesia

    Amnesia is memory loss.

  • C. Fixed false beliefs

    Delusions are fixed false beliefs.

  • D. Unwanted recurring thoughts only

    Obsessions are intrusive thoughts or urges.

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 A, Repetitive acts performed to reduce anxiety. Compulsions are repetitive behaviours or mental acts driven by obsessions or rigid rules, intended to reduce distress or prevent feared events.

Why is "Episodes of amnesia" not the answer?

Amnesia is memory loss.

Why is "Fixed false beliefs" not the answer?

Delusions are fixed false beliefs.

Why is "Unwanted recurring thoughts only" not the answer?

Obsessions are intrusive thoughts or urges.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Obsessive-compulsive disorder in Psychiatry. The correct option holds because: Correct: compulsions are anxiety-reducing repetitive acts.

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 Obsessive-compulsive disorder?

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.