Substance use: nicotine withdrawal: 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 · Substance use: nicotine withdrawal

Sample item

A smoker stops cigarettes abruptly. Within a day he becomes irritable, restless and unable to concentrate, and over the next weeks he feels constantly hungry, gains weight and has a slower pulse. Which statement is correct?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. These are typical features of nicotine withdrawal

Nicotine withdrawal causes irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, increased appetite with weight gain, insomnia, craving and a fall in heart rate. Symptoms peak in the first week and settle within a few weeks.

Option by option

  • A. These indicate hypomania

    Hypomania would show elevated mood and reduced need for sleep, with weight loss rather than gain.

  • B. These indicate opioid withdrawal

    Opioid withdrawal gives lacrimation, rhinorrhoea, piloerection, dilated pupils and diarrhoea.

  • C. These indicate hyperthyroidism

    Hyperthyroidism causes weight loss, heat intolerance and tachycardia.

  • D. These are typical features of nicotine withdrawal (correct)

    Correct. Increased appetite and bradycardia with irritability fit nicotine withdrawal.

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, These are typical features of nicotine withdrawal. Nicotine withdrawal causes irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, increased appetite with weight gain, insomnia, craving and a fall in heart rate.

Why is "These indicate hypomania" not the answer?

Hypomania would show elevated mood and reduced need for sleep, with weight loss rather than gain.

Why is "These indicate opioid withdrawal" not the answer?

Opioid withdrawal gives lacrimation, rhinorrhoea, piloerection, dilated pupils and diarrhoea.

Why is "These indicate hyperthyroidism" not the answer?

Hyperthyroidism causes weight loss, heat intolerance and tachycardia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Substance use: nicotine withdrawal in Psychiatry. Symptoms peak in the first week and settle within a few weeks.

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 Substance use: nicotine withdrawal?

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.