Suicidology: lithium: 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 · Suicidology: lithium

Sample item

Long-term lithium therapy in mood disorders is notable for reducing:

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Suicide risk

Lithium has an anti-suicidal effect independent of its mood-stabilising action, supported by observational and meta-analytic data. It carries risks of hypothyroidism and renal impairment, not reduction of those.

Option by option

  • A. Risk of agranulocytosis

    Lithium does not affect agranulocytosis risk.

  • B. Risk of renal impairment

    Lithium may impair renal function.

  • C. Risk of hypothyroidism

    Lithium increases hypothyroidism risk.

  • D. Suicide risk (correct)

    Correct. Lithium reduces suicide and self-harm.

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 D, Suicide risk. Lithium has an anti-suicidal effect independent of its mood-stabilising action, supported by observational and meta-analytic data.

Why is "Risk of agranulocytosis" not the answer?

Lithium does not affect agranulocytosis risk.

Why is "Risk of renal impairment" not the answer?

Lithium may impair renal function.

Why is "Risk of hypothyroidism" not the answer?

Lithium increases hypothyroidism risk.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Suicidology: lithium in Psychiatry. It carries risks of hypothyroidism and renal impairment, not reduction of those.

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 Suicidology: lithium?

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.