Formal thought disorder: perseveration: 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 · Formal thought disorder: perseveration

Sample item

A patient with a frontal lobe lesion keeps giving the answer 'pen' to every question after being first shown a pen, whatever the new object. This is:

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Perseveration

Perseveration is persistent, inappropriate repetition of a response after the stimulus has changed. It is seen in organic brain disease, especially frontal lobe lesions, and in schizophrenia.

Option by option

  • A. Neologism

    A neologism is a newly coined word.

  • B. Perseveration (correct)

    Correct. Repeating an earlier answer to new stimuli is perseveration.

  • C. Mutism

    Mutism is absence of speech, not repetition.

  • D. Echolalia

    Echolalia is repeating the examiner's words.

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 B, Perseveration. Perseveration is persistent, inappropriate repetition of a response after the stimulus has changed.

Why is "Neologism" not the answer?

A neologism is a newly coined word.

Why is "Mutism" not the answer?

Mutism is absence of speech, not repetition.

Why is "Echolalia" not the answer?

Echolalia is repeating the examiner's words.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Formal thought disorder: perseveration in Psychiatry. It is seen in organic brain disease, especially frontal lobe lesions, and in schizophrenia.

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 Formal thought disorder: perseveration?

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.