Substance use: caffeine withdrawal: 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 · Substance use: caffeine withdrawal

Sample item

A regular heavy coffee drinker who stops abruptly while fasting for a procedure develops a throbbing headache, fatigue and difficulty concentrating the next morning. Which withdrawal symptom is the most characteristic?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Headache

Caffeine withdrawal commonly causes headache, fatigue, drowsiness, irritability and poor concentration within 12 to 24 hours, due to rebound cerebral vasodilation. It is self-limiting over a few days.

Option by option

  • A. Hallucinations

    Hallucinations are not part of caffeine withdrawal.

  • B. Seizures

    Seizures occur in alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal, not caffeine withdrawal.

  • C. Hypertensive crisis

    Hypertensive crisis is not a feature, since withdrawal is not a sympathetic surge.

  • D. Headache (correct)

    Correct. Headache is the hallmark symptom of caffeine withdrawal.

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 D, Headache. Caffeine withdrawal commonly causes headache, fatigue, drowsiness, irritability and poor concentration within 12 to 24 hours, due to rebound cerebral vasodilation.

Why is "Hallucinations" not the answer?

Hallucinations are not part of caffeine withdrawal.

Why is "Seizures" not the answer?

Seizures occur in alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal, not caffeine withdrawal.

Why is "Hypertensive crisis" not the answer?

Hypertensive crisis is not a feature, since withdrawal is not a sympathetic surge.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Substance use: caffeine withdrawal in Psychiatry. It is self-limiting over a few days.

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 Substance use: caffeine withdrawal?

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.