Psychopharmacology: 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 · Psychopharmacology

Sample item

Which antipsychotic requires regular blood counts because of the risk of agranulocytosis?

ARisperidoneBOlanzapineCClozapineDHaloperidol

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Clozapine

Clozapine is the drug for treatment-resistant schizophrenia and reduces suicide risk, but it can cause agranulocytosis (monitoring is mandatory), myocarditis, seizures, sialorrhoea and weight gain. Other antipsychotics rarely cause agranulocytosis.

Option by option

A. Risperidone
Risperidone causes hyperprolactinaemia and extrapyramidal effects.
B. Olanzapine
Olanzapine causes weight gain and metabolic syndrome.
C. Clozapine (correct)
Correct. A neutrophil count is checked regularly.
D. Haloperidol
Haloperidol mainly causes extrapyramidal side effects.

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.

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is C, Clozapine. Clozapine is the drug for treatment-resistant schizophrenia and reduces suicide risk, but it can cause agranulocytosis (monitoring is mandatory), myocarditis, seizures, sialorrhoea and weight gain.

Why is "Risperidone" not the answer?

Risperidone causes hyperprolactinaemia and extrapyramidal effects.

Why is "Olanzapine" not the answer?

Olanzapine causes weight gain and metabolic syndrome.

Why is "Haloperidol" not the answer?

Haloperidol mainly causes extrapyramidal side effects.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychopharmacology in Psychiatry. Other antipsychotics rarely cause agranulocytosis.

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 Psychopharmacology?

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.