Antipsychotics: chlorpromazine adverse effects: 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 · Antipsychotics: chlorpromazine adverse effects

Sample item

A patient on long-term chlorpromazine develops a blue-grey discolouration of sun-exposed skin and corneal opacities. Which is the likely cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Drug and melanin deposition in tissues

Chronic chlorpromazine can cause photosensitivity, blue-grey pigmentation of exposed skin, and lens or corneal deposits. Other effects are cholestatic jaundice, lowered seizure threshold, orthostatic hypotension and sedation.

Option by option

  • A. Wilson disease

    Wilson disease produces KF rings, not drug-related pigmentation with chlorpromazine therapy.

  • B. Hemochromatosis

    Haemochromatosis gives bronze skin due to iron.

  • C. Drug and melanin deposition in tissues (correct)

    Correct. Chlorpromazine pigment deposits cause these changes.

  • D. Argyria

    Argyria results from silver exposure.

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, Drug and melanin deposition in tissues. Chronic chlorpromazine can cause photosensitivity, blue-grey pigmentation of exposed skin, and lens or corneal deposits.

Why is "Wilson disease" not the answer?

Wilson disease produces KF rings, not drug-related pigmentation with chlorpromazine therapy.

Why is "Hemochromatosis" not the answer?

Haemochromatosis gives bronze skin due to iron.

Why is "Argyria" not the answer?

Argyria results from silver exposure.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antipsychotics: chlorpromazine adverse effects in Psychiatry. Other effects are cholestatic jaundice, lowered seizure threshold, orthostatic hypotension and sedation.

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 Antipsychotics: chlorpromazine adverse effects?

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.