Trauma: PTSD treatment: 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 · Trauma: PTSD treatment

Sample item

For a patient with PTSD who has recurrent trauma-related nightmares, which statement about treatment is correct?

ABenzodiazepines are the treatment of choiceBTrauma-focused CBT or EMDR is first-line, with sertraline or paroxetine as approved drugsCAntipsychotics are first-lineDDebriefing immediately after the event prevents PTSD in all

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Trauma-focused CBT or EMDR is first-line, with sertraline or paroxetine as approved drugs

Trauma-focused CBT and EMDR are first-line therapies, with SSRIs (sertraline, paroxetine) as the approved drugs. Prazosin may reduce nightmares, whereas benzodiazepines are not recommended and single-session debriefing is not effective.

Option by option

A. Benzodiazepines are the treatment of choice
Benzodiazepines may worsen long-term outcomes and cause dependence.
B. Trauma-focused CBT or EMDR is first-line, with sertraline or paroxetine as approved drugs (correct)
Correct. Trauma-focused therapy and SSRIs are the standard treatment.
C. Antipsychotics are first-line
Antipsychotics are not first-line.
D. Debriefing immediately after the event prevents PTSD in all
Psychological debriefing has not been shown to prevent PTSD.

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.

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, Trauma-focused CBT or EMDR is first-line, with sertraline or paroxetine as approved drugs. Trauma-focused CBT and EMDR are first-line therapies, with SSRIs (sertraline, paroxetine) as the approved drugs.

Why is "Benzodiazepines are the treatment of choice" not the answer?

Benzodiazepines may worsen long-term outcomes and cause dependence.

Why is "Antipsychotics are first-line" not the answer?

Antipsychotics are not first-line.

Why is "Debriefing immediately after the event prevents PTSD in all" not the answer?

Psychological debriefing has not been shown to prevent PTSD.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Trauma: PTSD treatment in Psychiatry. Prazosin may reduce nightmares, whereas benzodiazepines are not recommended and single-session debriefing is not effective.

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 Trauma: PTSD treatment?

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.