Eating and sleep disorders: effect of benzodiazepines on sleep stages: 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 · Eating and sleep disorders: effect of benzodiazepines on sleep stages

Sample item

A polysomnogram is recorded in a patient taking nightly diazepam. Which change in sleep architecture is expected compared with a drug-free night?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. More N2 sleep with reduced N3 and REM

Benzodiazepines shorten sleep latency and increase N2 sleep (with more spindle activity) while suppressing slow-wave N3 and REM sleep. Abrupt withdrawal can cause REM rebound with vivid dreams.

Option by option

  • A. More N2 sleep with reduced N3 and REM (correct)

    Correct. N2 is increased while N3 and REM are suppressed.

  • B. Prolonged sleep latency with more awakenings

    They shorten sleep latency and reduce awakenings.

  • C. More N3 sleep with increased REM

    Benzodiazepines do not increase slow-wave sleep or REM sleep.

  • D. Reduced N2 sleep with increased REM

    REM sleep is reduced, not increased, on benzodiazepines.

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, More N2 sleep with reduced N3 and REM. Benzodiazepines shorten sleep latency and increase N2 sleep (with more spindle activity) while suppressing slow-wave N3 and REM sleep.

Why is "Prolonged sleep latency with more awakenings" not the answer?

They shorten sleep latency and reduce awakenings.

Why is "More N3 sleep with increased REM" not the answer?

Benzodiazepines do not increase slow-wave sleep or REM sleep.

Why is "Reduced N2 sleep with increased REM" not the answer?

REM sleep is reduced, not increased, on benzodiazepines.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Eating and sleep disorders: effect of benzodiazepines on sleep stages in Psychiatry. Abrupt withdrawal can cause REM rebound with vivid dreams.

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 Eating and sleep disorders: effect of benzodiazepines on sleep stages?

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.