Rating scales: CIWA-Ar: 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.

Try it

Psychiatry · Rating scales: CIWA-Ar

Sample item

The Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol, revised (CIWA-Ar), guides:

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Symptom-triggered benzodiazepine dosing in alcohol withdrawal

CIWA-Ar is a 10-item clinician-rated scale of withdrawal severity, with scores guiding when to give benzodiazepines in symptom-triggered regimens. Scores above about 15 indicate severe withdrawal.

Option by option

  • A. Titration of lithium

    Lithium titration relies on serum levels.

  • B. Symptom-triggered benzodiazepine dosing in alcohol withdrawal (correct)

    Correct. CIWA-Ar guides withdrawal treatment.

  • C. Decision for ECT

    ECT decisions are clinical.

  • D. Choice of antidepressant

    Antidepressant choice is clinical.

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.

More Psychiatry questions

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, Symptom-triggered benzodiazepine dosing in alcohol withdrawal. CIWA-Ar is a 10-item clinician-rated scale of withdrawal severity, with scores guiding when to give benzodiazepines in symptom-triggered regimens.

Why is "Titration of lithium" not the answer?

Lithium titration relies on serum levels.

Why is "Decision for ECT" not the answer?

ECT decisions are clinical.

Why is "Choice of antidepressant" not the answer?

Antidepressant choice is clinical.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Rating scales: CIWA-Ar in Psychiatry. Scores above about 15 indicate severe withdrawal.

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 Rating scales: CIWA-Ar?

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.