Toxicology USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 25-year-old woman taking sertraline 100 mg daily develops agitation, diaphoresis, and diarrhea shortly after starting linezolid for pneumonia. Vital signs show BP 148/92, HR 118, RR 22, temperature 39.2°C, SpO2 98% on room air. Physical examination reveals hyperreflexia and inducible clonus. Laboratory studies show creatine kinase elevated at 1,200 U/L. There is no recent cocaine use. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer choices
- ANeuroleptic malignant syndrome
- BAnticholinergic poisoning
- CSerotonin syndromeCorrect answer
- DMalignant hyperthermia
- ESympathomimetic intoxication only
- FThyroid storm
See the full explanation
Get the correct-answer rationale, why each distractor is wrong, the underlying mechanism, and high-yield associations — plus adaptive practice that targets your weak areas — with a free MedBoardPRO account.