Psychopharmacology: rapid tranquilisation: 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 · Psychopharmacology: rapid tranquilisation

Sample item

A violent, agitated patient in the emergency department requires rapid tranquilisation. Which combination is commonly recommended?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Intramuscular haloperidol with promethazine, or lorazepam

Haloperidol with an anticholinergic antihistamine such as promethazine (which reduces dystonia and adds sedation) or a benzodiazepine like lorazepam is used. The patient's airway, respiratory rate and vital signs must be monitored afterwards.

Option by option

  • A. Intravenous potassium

    Potassium has no role.

  • B. Oral disulfiram

    Disulfiram is used for alcohol relapse prevention.

  • C. Intramuscular haloperidol with promethazine, or lorazepam (correct)

    Correct. IM haloperidol plus promethazine, or lorazepam, is standard.

  • D. Oral lithium

    Lithium has a slow onset and is unsuitable.

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, Intramuscular haloperidol with promethazine, or lorazepam. Haloperidol with an anticholinergic antihistamine such as promethazine (which reduces dystonia and adds sedation) or a benzodiazepine like lorazepam is used.

Why is "Intravenous potassium" not the answer?

Potassium has no role.

Why is "Oral disulfiram" not the answer?

Disulfiram is used for alcohol relapse prevention.

Why is "Oral lithium" not the answer?

Lithium has a slow onset and is unsuitable.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychopharmacology: rapid tranquilisation in Psychiatry. The patient's airway, respiratory rate and vital signs must be monitored afterwards.

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 Psychopharmacology: rapid tranquilisation?

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.