Which pair is described as having intermediate metabolic risk, with quetiapine having greater cholesterol risk within that group?

• A. Clozapine and Olanzapine
• B. Quetiapine and Risperidone
• C. Ziprasidone and Aripiprazole
• D. Lurasidone and Paliperidone

Answer: (B)

Metabolic risk varies among second-generation antipsychotics. Some agents carry high risk (significant weight gain and lipid abnormalities), while others have lower risk. Quetiapine sits in the intermediate metabolic-risk group, and within that group it tends to raise cholesterol more than risperidone. So the pair described as having intermediate metabolic risk with quetiapine showing greater cholesterol risk within that group is quetiapine and risperidone. The other pairs involve drugs with either higher overall metabolic risk or, in some cases, lower risk overall, not fitting the described pattern.