Medical mimics: interferon: 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 · Medical mimics: interferon

Sample item

A patient treated with pegylated interferon alpha for hepatitis C develops marked depressive symptoms with suicidal thoughts. The best management is:

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Treat with an SSRI and monitor closely, considering dose modification of interferon

Interferon alpha commonly causes depression, irritability and anxiety, and SSRIs treat and can prevent it. Severe depression or suicidality may require interferon dose reduction or discontinuation.

Option by option

  • A. Treat with an SSRI and monitor closely, considering dose modification of interferon (correct)

    Correct. SSRIs with monitoring are appropriate.

  • B. Prescribe a benzodiazepine alone

    Benzodiazepines do not treat depression.

  • C. Ignore the symptoms

    Suicidal thoughts need attention.

  • D. Give disulfiram

    Disulfiram 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, Treat with an SSRI and monitor closely, considering dose modification of interferon. Interferon alpha commonly causes depression, irritability and anxiety, and SSRIs treat and can prevent it.

Why is "Prescribe a benzodiazepine alone" not the answer?

Benzodiazepines do not treat depression.

Why is "Ignore the symptoms" not the answer?

Suicidal thoughts need attention.

Why is "Give disulfiram" not the answer?

Disulfiram has no role.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Medical mimics: interferon in Psychiatry. Severe depression or suicidality may require interferon dose reduction or discontinuation.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Medical mimics: interferon?

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.