Organic mental disorders: utilisation behaviour: 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 mental disorders: utilisation behaviour

Sample item

A 60-year-old man with a large frontal lobe lesion picks up a pen and begins writing when it is placed in front of him, and puts on spectacles placed on the table even though he is already wearing his own. He was given no instruction to do either. What is this phenomenon?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Utilisation behaviour

Utilisation behaviour is the compulsive use of objects presented to the patient without instruction, reflecting loss of frontal inhibitory control over parietal-driven responses to the environment. It is often accompanied by grasp reflexes and environmental dependency.

Option by option

  • A. Echopraxia

    Echopraxia is imitation of the examiner's movements.

  • B. Utilisation behaviour (correct)

    Correct. Automatic use of objects placed in view reflects frontal disinhibition.

  • C. Perseveration

    Perseveration is inappropriate repetition of a response after the stimulus has changed.

  • D. Ideomotor apraxia

    Ideomotor apraxia is inability to perform a learned movement on command despite intact strength.

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, Utilisation behaviour. Utilisation behaviour is the compulsive use of objects presented to the patient without instruction, reflecting loss of frontal inhibitory control over parietal-driven responses to the environment.

Why is "Echopraxia" not the answer?

Echopraxia is imitation of the examiner's movements.

Why is "Perseveration" not the answer?

Perseveration is inappropriate repetition of a response after the stimulus has changed.

Why is "Ideomotor apraxia" not the answer?

Ideomotor apraxia is inability to perform a learned movement on command despite intact strength.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Organic mental disorders: utilisation behaviour in Psychiatry. It is often accompanied by grasp reflexes and environmental dependency.

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 mental disorders: utilisation behaviour?

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.