1
Psychiatric Technician State Board Review Actual
Exam 2026/2027 – Complete Exam-Style Questions
with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified | Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
[SECTION 1: Mental Health Disorders (DSM-5-TR) — Questions 1-30]
Q1: A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia exhibits a lack of emotional expression, a monotone
voice, and immobile facial expressions. Which category of symptoms is the patient displaying?
A. Positive symptoms
B. Negative symptoms
C. Catatonic symptoms
D. Affective symptoms
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
D. Affective symptoms
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B because negative symptoms refer to the absence or diminution of
normal behaviors or emotions, such as blunted affect (lack of expression), alogia (poverty of
speech), avolition (lack of motivation), and anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure). These
symptoms are harder to treat than positive symptoms and significantly impact functional living.
Option A refers to excesses like hallucinations. Option C involves motor abnormalities. Option D
is a broad term not specific to the deficit cluster.
Q2: A patient with schizophrenia states, "The television is sending secret messages meant only
for me about how to save the world." This delusion is best described as:
A. Persecutory
B. Grandiose
C. Referential
D. Somatic
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
,2
D. Somatic
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This choice is correct because referential delusions involve the belief that random
events, objects, or media (like TV or radio) are specifically directed at or related to the
individual. While the content involves saving the world (potentially grandiose), the mechanism
of the TV sending a message is the definition of ideas of reference. Option A involves belief of
being harmed or spied on. Option B involves inflated worth or power. Option D involves bodily
functions.
Q3: When assessing a patient for depression, which symptom listed in the DSM-5-TR is
considered a "somatic" complaint rather than a purely emotional one?
A. Feelings of worthlessness
B. Psychomotor retardation
C. Insomnia or hypersomnia
D. Indecisiveness
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
D. Indecisiveness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The best answer is C because sleep disturbances (insomnia or hypersomnia) are
physical/somatic manifestations of depression. Other somatic symptoms include changes in
appetite and fatigue. Option A, B, and D are cognitive or emotional symptoms. Distinguishing
somatic symptoms is crucial for Psychiatric Technicians monitoring physical health in mental
health patients.
Q4: A patient is observed pacing rapidly, speaking so quickly that the words are tumbling over
one another, and abruptly changing topics. These symptoms are most characteristic of:
A. Schizoaffective disorder
B. Manic episode
C. Schizophreniform disorder
,3
D. Generalized anxiety disorder
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
D. Generalized anxiety disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This choice is correct because pressure of speech (tachylalia), flight of ideas, and
increased goal-directed activity (pacing) are hallmark symptoms of a manic episode.
Schizoaffective disorder requires a period of psychosis independent of mood episodes, and
schizophrenia lacks the prominent mood elevation. Option C is a short-term psychotic disorder.
Option D involves worry, not flight of ideas.
Q5: Which of the following is a core diagnostic criterion for Bipolar I Disorder?
A. A hypomanic episode of at least 4 days
B. A manic episode of at least 1 week (or any duration if hospitalization is required)
C. A major depressive episode lasting 2 weeks
D. The presence of both auditory and visual hallucinations
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
D. The presence of both auditory and visual hallucinations
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Remember that Bipolar I Disorder is defined by the occurrence of at least one lifetime
Manic Episode. While depressive episodes are common, they are not strictly required for the
diagnosis. Option A describes Bipolar II. Option C describes unipolar depression. Option D is a
psychotic feature, not specific to Bipolar I.
Q6: A patient with panic disorder presents to the ER with chest pain, shortness of breath, and a
fear of dying. The ECG is normal. The Psychiatric Technician should recognize that:
A. The patient is malingering to get attention.
B. The symptoms are real to the patient, even if the physiological trigger is anxiety.
C. The patient should immediately be started on antipsychotic medication.
, 4
D. The symptoms are solely due to a respiratory condition, not anxiety.
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
D. The symptoms are solely due to a respiratory condition, not anxiety.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B because panic attacks involve intense, discrete periods of fear
and physical discomfort that mimic medical emergencies; validating the patient's experience is
therapeutic. The physical symptoms are physiological manifestations of anxiety. Option A is
dismissive and incorrect. Option C is not a first-line treatment for panic. Option D rules out the
medical rule-out but ignores the psychiatric diagnosis.
Q7: Disorganized speech, such as "Word salad" or frequent derailment, is a symptom most
strongly associated with:
A. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
B. Schizophrenia
C. Avoidant Personality Disorder
D. Alzheimer's Dementia
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
D. Alzheimer's Dementia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This choice is correct because formal thought disorder (disorganized speech) is a
positive symptom of schizophrenia, often resulting in incoherent communication. While
dementia can cause speech issues, the specific "word salad" is classically linked to the
disorganization seen in schizophrenia. Options A and C do not typically involve thought
disorganization of this magnitude.
Q8: A patient diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder is admitted after cutting her wrists.
She states, "I did it because you didn't visit me yesterday when I asked." This behavior
demonstrates:
A. Manipulation
Psychiatric Technician State Board Review Actual
Exam 2026/2027 – Complete Exam-Style Questions
with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified | Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
[SECTION 1: Mental Health Disorders (DSM-5-TR) — Questions 1-30]
Q1: A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia exhibits a lack of emotional expression, a monotone
voice, and immobile facial expressions. Which category of symptoms is the patient displaying?
A. Positive symptoms
B. Negative symptoms
C. Catatonic symptoms
D. Affective symptoms
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
D. Affective symptoms
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B because negative symptoms refer to the absence or diminution of
normal behaviors or emotions, such as blunted affect (lack of expression), alogia (poverty of
speech), avolition (lack of motivation), and anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure). These
symptoms are harder to treat than positive symptoms and significantly impact functional living.
Option A refers to excesses like hallucinations. Option C involves motor abnormalities. Option D
is a broad term not specific to the deficit cluster.
Q2: A patient with schizophrenia states, "The television is sending secret messages meant only
for me about how to save the world." This delusion is best described as:
A. Persecutory
B. Grandiose
C. Referential
D. Somatic
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
,2
D. Somatic
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This choice is correct because referential delusions involve the belief that random
events, objects, or media (like TV or radio) are specifically directed at or related to the
individual. While the content involves saving the world (potentially grandiose), the mechanism
of the TV sending a message is the definition of ideas of reference. Option A involves belief of
being harmed or spied on. Option B involves inflated worth or power. Option D involves bodily
functions.
Q3: When assessing a patient for depression, which symptom listed in the DSM-5-TR is
considered a "somatic" complaint rather than a purely emotional one?
A. Feelings of worthlessness
B. Psychomotor retardation
C. Insomnia or hypersomnia
D. Indecisiveness
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
D. Indecisiveness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The best answer is C because sleep disturbances (insomnia or hypersomnia) are
physical/somatic manifestations of depression. Other somatic symptoms include changes in
appetite and fatigue. Option A, B, and D are cognitive or emotional symptoms. Distinguishing
somatic symptoms is crucial for Psychiatric Technicians monitoring physical health in mental
health patients.
Q4: A patient is observed pacing rapidly, speaking so quickly that the words are tumbling over
one another, and abruptly changing topics. These symptoms are most characteristic of:
A. Schizoaffective disorder
B. Manic episode
C. Schizophreniform disorder
,3
D. Generalized anxiety disorder
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
D. Generalized anxiety disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This choice is correct because pressure of speech (tachylalia), flight of ideas, and
increased goal-directed activity (pacing) are hallmark symptoms of a manic episode.
Schizoaffective disorder requires a period of psychosis independent of mood episodes, and
schizophrenia lacks the prominent mood elevation. Option C is a short-term psychotic disorder.
Option D involves worry, not flight of ideas.
Q5: Which of the following is a core diagnostic criterion for Bipolar I Disorder?
A. A hypomanic episode of at least 4 days
B. A manic episode of at least 1 week (or any duration if hospitalization is required)
C. A major depressive episode lasting 2 weeks
D. The presence of both auditory and visual hallucinations
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
D. The presence of both auditory and visual hallucinations
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Remember that Bipolar I Disorder is defined by the occurrence of at least one lifetime
Manic Episode. While depressive episodes are common, they are not strictly required for the
diagnosis. Option A describes Bipolar II. Option C describes unipolar depression. Option D is a
psychotic feature, not specific to Bipolar I.
Q6: A patient with panic disorder presents to the ER with chest pain, shortness of breath, and a
fear of dying. The ECG is normal. The Psychiatric Technician should recognize that:
A. The patient is malingering to get attention.
B. The symptoms are real to the patient, even if the physiological trigger is anxiety.
C. The patient should immediately be started on antipsychotic medication.
, 4
D. The symptoms are solely due to a respiratory condition, not anxiety.
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
D. The symptoms are solely due to a respiratory condition, not anxiety.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B because panic attacks involve intense, discrete periods of fear
and physical discomfort that mimic medical emergencies; validating the patient's experience is
therapeutic. The physical symptoms are physiological manifestations of anxiety. Option A is
dismissive and incorrect. Option C is not a first-line treatment for panic. Option D rules out the
medical rule-out but ignores the psychiatric diagnosis.
Q7: Disorganized speech, such as "Word salad" or frequent derailment, is a symptom most
strongly associated with:
A. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
B. Schizophrenia
C. Avoidant Personality Disorder
D. Alzheimer's Dementia
C. [Correct answer] [CORRECT]
D. Alzheimer's Dementia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This choice is correct because formal thought disorder (disorganized speech) is a
positive symptom of schizophrenia, often resulting in incoherent communication. While
dementia can cause speech issues, the specific "word salad" is classically linked to the
disorganization seen in schizophrenia. Options A and C do not typically involve thought
disorganization of this magnitude.
Q8: A patient diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder is admitted after cutting her wrists.
She states, "I did it because you didn't visit me yesterday when I asked." This behavior
demonstrates:
A. Manipulation
