Substance use: nicotine dependence: 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 · Substance use: nicotine dependence

Sample item

Varenicline helps smoking cessation because it is:

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. A partial agonist at alpha4-beta2 nicotinic receptors

Varenicline partially stimulates alpha4-beta2 receptors, reducing withdrawal and craving, and blocks the reward from nicotine. Nausea and vivid dreams are common side effects. Bupropion and nicotine replacement are other options.

Option by option

  • A. A dopamine D2 antagonist

    D2 antagonism is the antipsychotic action.

  • B. An inhibitor of aldehyde dehydrogenase

    Aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibition is disulfiram's action.

  • C. A partial agonist at alpha4-beta2 nicotinic receptors (correct)

    Correct. It is an alpha4-beta2 partial agonist.

  • D. A full agonist at mu opioid receptors

    Mu opioid agonism is irrelevant.

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, A partial agonist at alpha4-beta2 nicotinic receptors. Varenicline partially stimulates alpha4-beta2 receptors, reducing withdrawal and craving, and blocks the reward from nicotine.

Why is "A dopamine D2 antagonist" not the answer?

D2 antagonism is the antipsychotic action.

Why is "An inhibitor of aldehyde dehydrogenase" not the answer?

Aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibition is disulfiram's action.

Why is "A full agonist at mu opioid receptors" not the answer?

Mu opioid agonism is irrelevant.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Substance use: nicotine dependence in Psychiatry. Nausea and vivid dreams are common side effects. Bupropion and nicotine replacement are other options.

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 Substance use: nicotine dependence?

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.