Substance use: 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 · Substance use: alcohol withdrawal

Sample item

A hospitalized patient who stopped heavy alcohol use 48 hours ago is tremulous, diaphoretic, hypertensive, and sees insects crawling on the wall. What is the most appropriate medication class for this syndrome?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are first-line treatment for alcohol withdrawal because they reduce withdrawal severity and prevent seizures and delirium tremens. Antipsychotics may occasionally be adjuncts but do not replace adequate benzodiazepine treatment.

Option by option

  • A. Benzodiazepines (correct)

    Correct. Benzodiazepines provide cross-tolerance at GABA-A receptors and prevent severe complications.

  • B. Antipsychotics as monotherapy

    Antipsychotic monotherapy does not prevent withdrawal seizures and can lower seizure threshold.

  • C. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

    SSRIs have no role in immediate control of alcohol withdrawal.

  • D. Opioid antagonists

    Opioid antagonists are used in opioid-related care, not acute alcohol 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.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is A, Benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are first-line treatment for alcohol withdrawal because they reduce withdrawal severity and prevent seizures and delirium tremens.

Why is "Antipsychotics as monotherapy" not the answer?

Antipsychotic monotherapy does not prevent withdrawal seizures and can lower seizure threshold.

Why is "Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors" not the answer?

SSRIs have no role in immediate control of alcohol withdrawal.

Why is "Opioid antagonists" not the answer?

Opioid antagonists are used in opioid-related care, not acute alcohol withdrawal.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Substance use: alcohol withdrawal in Psychiatry. Antipsychotics may occasionally be adjuncts but do not replace adequate benzodiazepine treatment.

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 Substance use: 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.