Organic psychiatry: normal pressure hydrocephalus: 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 · Organic psychiatry: normal pressure hydrocephalus

Sample item

An elderly man has a magnetic gait, urinary incontinence and progressive cognitive decline. Imaging shows ventriculomegaly with normal CSF pressure. Treatment is:

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt

NPH is a potentially reversible dementia whose classic triad is gait disturbance, urinary incontinence and dementia ('wet, wobbly, wacky'). CSF shunting can improve gait and cognition.

Option by option

  • A. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (correct)

    Correct. A CSF shunt is the treatment.

  • B. Cholinesterase inhibitors alone

    Cholinesterase inhibitors do not treat the cause.

  • C. Electroconvulsive therapy

    ECT has no role.

  • D. Lithium

    Lithium has no role.

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 A, Ventriculoperitoneal shunt. NPH is a potentially reversible dementia whose classic triad is gait disturbance, urinary incontinence and dementia ('wet, wobbly, wacky').

Why is "Cholinesterase inhibitors alone" not the answer?

Cholinesterase inhibitors do not treat the cause.

Why is "Electroconvulsive therapy" not the answer?

ECT has no role.

Why is "Lithium" not the answer?

Lithium has no role.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Organic psychiatry: normal pressure hydrocephalus in Psychiatry. CSF shunting can improve gait and cognition.

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 Organic psychiatry: normal pressure hydrocephalus?

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.