Forensic psychiatry: Ganser syndrome: practice question

A Forensic 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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Forensic Medicine · Forensic psychiatry: Ganser syndrome

Sample item

A prisoner awaiting trial for murder gives absurd but approximate answers, for example saying that a bicycle has three wheels. He has clouding of consciousness and hallucinations. Which syndrome is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Ganser syndrome

Ganser syndrome is a dissociative state, classically in prisoners, with approximate answers (vorbeireden), clouding of consciousness and sometimes hallucinations, often followed by amnesia. It is hard to distinguish from malingering, and it should be carefully assessed.

Option by option

  • A. Capgras syndrome

    Capgras syndrome is a delusion of impostors.

  • B. Korsakoff syndrome

    Korsakoff syndrome is amnesia with confabulation in chronic alcoholism.

  • C. Munchausen syndrome

    Munchausen syndrome is the feigning of illness to obtain medical attention.

  • D. Ganser syndrome (correct)

    Approximate answers in a prisoner with clouded consciousness are typical of Ganser syndrome.

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 Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is D, Ganser syndrome. Ganser syndrome is a dissociative state, classically in prisoners, with approximate answers (vorbeireden), clouding of consciousness and sometimes hallucinations, often followed by amnesia.

Why is "Capgras syndrome" not the answer?

Capgras syndrome is a delusion of impostors.

Why is "Korsakoff syndrome" not the answer?

Korsakoff syndrome is amnesia with confabulation in chronic alcoholism.

Why is "Munchausen syndrome" not the answer?

Munchausen syndrome is the feigning of illness to obtain medical attention.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Forensic psychiatry: Ganser syndrome in Forensic Medicine. It is hard to distinguish from malingering, and it should be carefully assessed.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Forensic psychiatry: Ganser syndrome?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic 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.