Child psychiatry: selective mutism: 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 · Child psychiatry: selective mutism

Sample item

A 5-year-old speaks freely at home but does not speak at school for more than a month, although she understands everything. This is:

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Selective mutism

Selective mutism is persistent failure to speak in specific social situations in which speaking is expected, despite speaking in other situations, and it is classed with the anxiety disorders. Treatment is behavioural, and SSRIs are used in some.

Option by option

  • A. Selective mutism (correct)

    Correct. Situation-specific mutism is selective mutism.

  • B. Hearing impairment

    Hearing impairment would affect understanding and speech everywhere.

  • C. Autism spectrum disorder

    ASD has wider social communication deficits.

  • D. Expressive language disorder

    Expressive language disorder affects speech in all settings.

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, Selective mutism. Selective mutism is persistent failure to speak in specific social situations in which speaking is expected, despite speaking in other situations, and it is classed with the anxiety disorders.

Why is "Hearing impairment" not the answer?

Hearing impairment would affect understanding and speech everywhere.

Why is "Autism spectrum disorder" not the answer?

ASD has wider social communication deficits.

Why is "Expressive language disorder" not the answer?

Expressive language disorder affects speech in all settings.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Child psychiatry: selective mutism in Psychiatry. Treatment is behavioural, and SSRIs are used in some.

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 Child psychiatry: selective mutism?

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.