Organic psychiatry: delirium in alcohol 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.

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Psychiatry · Organic psychiatry: delirium in alcohol withdrawal

Sample item

A hospitalised man with delirium tremens has coarse tremor, tachycardia and visual hallucinations on day three of admission. The drug of choice is

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. A benzodiazepine such as lorazepam or diazepam

Benzodiazepines are the drug of choice for alcohol withdrawal delirium, as they reduce autonomic hyperactivity and prevent seizures. Antipsychotics alone lower the seizure threshold. Thiamine must be given before glucose.

Option by option

  • A. Chlorpromazine

    Chlorpromazine lowers the seizure threshold.

  • B. Haloperidol alone

    Haloperidol alone lowers the seizure threshold and does not treat withdrawal.

  • C. A benzodiazepine such as lorazepam or diazepam (correct)

    Correct. A benzodiazepine treats the withdrawal state and prevents seizures.

  • D. Phenytoin

    Phenytoin does not treat alcohol withdrawal seizures effectively.

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 C, A benzodiazepine such as lorazepam or diazepam. Benzodiazepines are the drug of choice for alcohol withdrawal delirium, as they reduce autonomic hyperactivity and prevent seizures.

Why is "Chlorpromazine" not the answer?

Chlorpromazine lowers the seizure threshold.

Why is "Haloperidol alone" not the answer?

Haloperidol alone lowers the seizure threshold and does not treat withdrawal.

Why is "Phenytoin" not the answer?

Phenytoin does not treat alcohol withdrawal seizures effectively.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Organic psychiatry: delirium in alcohol withdrawal in Psychiatry. Antipsychotics alone lower the seizure threshold. Thiamine must be given before glucose.

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 Organic psychiatry: delirium in alcohol 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.