Mood stabilisers: carbamazepine: 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 · Mood stabilisers: carbamazepine

Sample item

Before starting carbamazepine in a patient of South Asian or Han Chinese ancestry, which test is recommended to reduce the risk of Stevens-Johnson syndrome?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. HLA-B*1502 genotyping

HLA-B*1502 is strongly associated with carbamazepine-induced SJS/TEN in Asian populations. Carbamazepine also causes hyponatraemia, aplastic anaemia and induces CYP3A4.

Option by option

  • A. HLA-DR4

    HLA-DR4 is linked with rheumatoid arthritis.

  • B. HLA-DQ2

    HLA-DQ2 is linked with coeliac disease.

  • C. HLA-B27

    HLA-B27 is linked with ankylosing spondylitis.

  • D. HLA-B*1502 genotyping (correct)

    Correct. HLA-B*1502 predicts the risk of SJS with carbamazepine.

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, HLA-B*1502 genotyping. HLA-B*1502 is strongly associated with carbamazepine-induced SJS/TEN in Asian populations.

Why is "HLA-DR4" not the answer?

HLA-DR4 is linked with rheumatoid arthritis.

Why is "HLA-DQ2" not the answer?

HLA-DQ2 is linked with coeliac disease.

Why is "HLA-B27" not the answer?

HLA-B27 is linked with ankylosing spondylitis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mood stabilisers: carbamazepine in Psychiatry. Carbamazepine also causes hyponatraemia, aplastic anaemia and induces CYP3A4.

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 Mood stabilisers: carbamazepine?

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.