Neurology: essential tremor treatment: 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 · Neurology: essential tremor treatment

Sample item

A 45-year-old teacher has bilateral action tremor of the hands that interferes with writing and drinking. It is absent at rest, improves slightly after a small amount of alcohol, and his father had a similar problem. There is no rigidity. Which drug is first-line?

APramipexoleBPropranololCLevodopa with carbidopaDBenzhexol

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Propranolol

Essential tremor is an action or postural tremor, often familial, that improves with alcohol. Propranolol and primidone are first-line drugs. Dopaminergic and anticholinergic agents are for parkinsonism and are not effective here.

Option by option

A. Pramipexole
Pramipexole is a dopamine agonist used for Parkinson disease and restless legs syndrome.
B. Propranolol (correct)
Correct. Propranolol is a first-line drug for essential tremor.
C. Levodopa with carbidopa
Levodopa treats Parkinson disease, where the tremor occurs at rest with rigidity and bradykinesia.
D. Benzhexol
Benzhexol is an anticholinergic used for parkinsonian tremor and drug-induced parkinsonism.

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.

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is B, Propranolol. Essential tremor is an action or postural tremor, often familial, that improves with alcohol.

Why is "Pramipexole" not the answer?

Pramipexole is a dopamine agonist used for Parkinson disease and restless legs syndrome.

Why is "Levodopa with carbidopa" not the answer?

Levodopa treats Parkinson disease, where the tremor occurs at rest with rigidity and bradykinesia.

Why is "Benzhexol" not the answer?

Benzhexol is an anticholinergic used for parkinsonian tremor and drug-induced parkinsonism.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neurology: essential tremor treatment in General Medicine. Propranolol and primidone are first-line drugs. Dopaminergic and anticholinergic agents are for parkinsonism and are not effective here.

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 Neurology: essential tremor treatment?

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.