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Acute dystonia — USMLE Step 3 MCQ

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EasyPsychiatry (outpatient management)Acute dystoniaUSMLE Step 3

A 24-year-old man develops acute dystonia with neck twisting and tongue protrusion 2 days after starting haloperidol. Which of the following is the most likely explanation for this patient's findings?

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Correct answer: B — Dopamine D2 receptor blockade in the nigrostriatal pathway

High-potency antipsychotics can cause acute dystonia through dopamine blockade in basal ganglia motor pathways.

Reference: APA schizophrenia guideline; psychopharmacology reference