Schizophrenia: prognostic factors: 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 · Schizophrenia: prognostic factors

Sample item

Which of the following is a feature of good prognosis in schizophrenia?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Acute onset after an identifiable precipitating stress

Good prognosis is linked with acute onset, a clear precipitant, older age at onset, female sex, good premorbid adjustment, mood symptoms, marriage and good support. Insidious early onset, negative symptoms and family history predict poor outcome.

Option by option

  • A. Prominent negative symptoms

    Negative symptoms predict poor outcome and poor drug response.

  • B. Insidious onset in adolescence

    Insidious onset and early age are poor prognostic features.

  • C. Family history of schizophrenia

    A positive family history is associated with poor prognosis.

  • D. Acute onset after an identifiable precipitating stress (correct)

    Correct. Acute onset with a clear precipitant favours a good outcome.

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, Acute onset after an identifiable precipitating stress. Good prognosis is linked with acute onset, a clear precipitant, older age at onset, female sex, good premorbid adjustment, mood symptoms, marriage and good support.

Why is "Prominent negative symptoms" not the answer?

Negative symptoms predict poor outcome and poor drug response.

Why is "Insidious onset in adolescence" not the answer?

Insidious onset and early age are poor prognostic features.

Why is "Family history of schizophrenia" not the answer?

A positive family history is associated with poor prognosis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Schizophrenia: prognostic factors in Psychiatry. Insidious early onset, negative symptoms and family history predict poor outcome.

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 Schizophrenia: prognostic factors?

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.