Child psychiatry: encopresis: 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: encopresis

Sample item

Which statement about encopresis is correct?

AIt never has a physical causeBIt is most often due to epilepsyCIt requires a chronological or developmental age of at least 4 yearsDIt is diagnosed from the age of 1 year

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. It requires a chronological or developmental age of at least 4 years

Encopresis is repeated passage of faeces in inappropriate places, in a child aged at least 4 years, and most often is associated with chronic constipation and overflow. Treatment includes laxatives, toilet routines and behavioural measures.

Option by option

A. It never has a physical cause
Constipation is a frequent contributor.
B. It is most often due to epilepsy
Epilepsy is not the usual cause.
C. It requires a chronological or developmental age of at least 4 years (correct)
Correct. A minimum age of 4 years is needed.
D. It is diagnosed from the age of 1 year
Toilet control is not expected at 1 year.

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.

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is C, It requires a chronological or developmental age of at least 4 years. Encopresis is repeated passage of faeces in inappropriate places, in a child aged at least 4 years, and most often is associated with chronic constipation and overflow.

Why is "It never has a physical cause" not the answer?

Constipation is a frequent contributor.

Why is "It is most often due to epilepsy" not the answer?

Epilepsy is not the usual cause.

Why is "It is diagnosed from the age of 1 year" not the answer?

Toilet control is not expected at 1 year.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Child psychiatry: encopresis in Psychiatry. Treatment includes laxatives, toilet routines and behavioural measures.

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: encopresis?

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.