Psychopharmacology: clozapine monitoring: 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: clozapine monitoring

Sample item

During the first 18 weeks of clozapine therapy, the absolute neutrophil count is typically monitored:

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Weekly

Clozapine-induced neutropenia or agranulocytosis is most likely in the first 18 weeks, so weekly counts are done, then fortnightly up to one year and monthly thereafter in most protocols. Patients are told to report fever or sore throat.

Option by option

  • A. Yearly

    Yearly checks would miss agranulocytosis.

  • B. Weekly (correct)

    Correct. Weekly counts initially.

  • C. Only if the patient has fever

    Waiting for fever is unsafe.

  • D. Once only at the start

    A single baseline check is not enough.

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 B, Weekly. Clozapine-induced neutropenia or agranulocytosis is most likely in the first 18 weeks, so weekly counts are done, then fortnightly up to one year and monthly thereafter in most protocols.

Why is "Yearly" not the answer?

Yearly checks would miss agranulocytosis.

Why is "Only if the patient has fever" not the answer?

Waiting for fever is unsafe.

Why is "Once only at the start" not the answer?

A single baseline check is not enough.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychopharmacology: clozapine monitoring in Psychiatry. Patients are told to report fever or sore throat.

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: clozapine monitoring?

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.