Psychotic disorders: determinants of functional outcome: 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 · Psychotic disorders: determinants of functional outcome

Sample item

A patient's psychotic symptoms have remitted on treatment, yet he remains unable to hold a job. Which domain of schizophrenia is the strongest predictor of this poor everyday functioning?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Cognitive impairment

Cognitive deficits in attention, memory and executive function, together with negative symptoms, predict occupational and social outcome better than positive symptoms do. This is the reason cognitive remediation and supported employment are used.

Option by option

  • A. Severity of hallucinations

    Hallucination severity correlates poorly with long-term functioning.

  • B. Cognitive impairment (correct)

    Correct. Cognitive impairment is the strongest predictor of functional outcome in schizophrenia.

  • C. Severity of delusions

    Delusion severity correlates poorly with long-term functioning.

  • D. Presence of first-rank symptoms

    First-rank symptoms are diagnostic aids and do not predict functional outcome.

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 B, Cognitive impairment. Cognitive deficits in attention, memory and executive function, together with negative symptoms, predict occupational and social outcome better than positive symptoms do.

Why is "Severity of hallucinations" not the answer?

Hallucination severity correlates poorly with long-term functioning.

Why is "Severity of delusions" not the answer?

Delusion severity correlates poorly with long-term functioning.

Why is "Presence of first-rank symptoms" not the answer?

First-rank symptoms are diagnostic aids and do not predict functional outcome.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychotic disorders: determinants of functional outcome in Psychiatry. This is the reason cognitive remediation and supported employment are used.

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 Psychotic disorders: determinants of functional outcome?

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.