Child and adolescent psychiatry: treatment of trauma in children: 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 · Child and adolescent psychiatry: treatment of trauma in children

Sample item

A 9-year-old has nightmares, flashbacks and avoidance two months after a road accident. Which treatment is recommended first?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy

Trauma-focused CBT, involving the child and caregiver, is first-line for post-traumatic stress in children. Benzodiazepines do not prevent or treat PTSD and may worsen outcomes.

Option by option

  • A. An antipsychotic

    Antipsychotics are not first-line for PTSD.

  • B. Long-term benzodiazepines

    Benzodiazepines are not recommended for PTSD.

  • C. Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (correct)

    Correct. Trauma-focused CBT is the treatment of choice.

  • D. Watchful waiting with no input

    Persistent symptoms at two months warrant active treatment.

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 C, Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy. Trauma-focused CBT, involving the child and caregiver, is first-line for post-traumatic stress in children.

Why is "An antipsychotic" not the answer?

Antipsychotics are not first-line for PTSD.

Why is "Long-term benzodiazepines" not the answer?

Benzodiazepines are not recommended for PTSD.

Why is "Watchful waiting with no input" not the answer?

Persistent symptoms at two months warrant active treatment.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Child and adolescent psychiatry: treatment of trauma in children in Psychiatry. Benzodiazepines do not prevent or treat PTSD and may worsen outcomes.

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 Child and adolescent psychiatry: treatment of trauma in children?

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.