2026/2027 CALIFORNIA PSYCHIATRIC
TECHNICIAN BOARD FINAL STUDY
REVIEW
Which neurotransmitter is reduced in people with schizophrenia?
Dopamine
GABA
Acetylcholine
Serotonin - ANSWER-GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid)
Prenatal and perinatal factors that result in the onset of schizophrenia include:
viral infection
maternal depression
maternal smoking
exposure to toxic waste - ANSWER-viral infection
Alterations in which part of the brain are linked to hallucinations, delusions, and thought
disorders associated with schizophrenia?
Parietal lobe
Limbic system
Temporal lobe
Hypothalamus - ANSWER-temporal lobe
Which neurotransmitter receptors are blocked by antipsychotic drugs?
Norepinephrine
GABA
Serotonin
Dopamine - ANSWER-Dopamine
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system abnormalities exist in a large percentage
of individuals with:
schizophrenia
major depression
mania
panic disorder - ANSWER-major depression
From 20% to 30% of individuals with depression have dysregulated:
sleep cycles
pitutiary function
thyroid function
eating patterns - ANSWER-thyroid function
,The common property among the three types of medications used to treat depression is
that they:
increase neurotransmitter levels within the synapse
decrease neurotransmitter levels in the postsynapse.
decrease neurotransmitter levels within the synapse. - ANSWER-increase
neurotransmitter levels within the synapse
What is the link between major depression and cortisol secretion?
Individuals with depression show suppression of plasma cortisol when given
dexamethasone.
Individuals with depression have a decreased plasma cortisol level despite
administration of exogenous corticosteroids.
Individuals with depression continue to exhibit elevated plasma cortisol levels
throughout the evening and early morning.
Individuals with depression have normal plasma cortisol levels throughout the day when
they take antidepressant medication as prescribed. - ANSWER-Individuals with
depression continue to exhibit elevated plasma cortisol levels throughout the evening
and early morning.
A newly admitted patient diagnosed with schizophrenia is hypervigilant and constantly
scans the environment. The patient states, "I saw two doctors talking in the hall. They
were plotting to kill me." The nurse may correctly assess this behavior as:
echolalia
an idea of reference
a delusion of infidelity
an auditory hallucination - ANSWER-an idea of reference
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia says, "My co-workers are out to get me. I also
saw two doctors plotting to kill me." How does this patient perceive the environment?
Disorganized
Dangerous
Supportive
Bizarre - ANSWER-Dangerous
When a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia was discharged 6 months ago,
haloperidol (Haldol) was prescribed. The patient now says, "I stopped taking those pills.
They made me feel like a robot." What are common side effects the nurse should
validate with the patient?
Sedation and muscle stiffness
Sweating, nausea, and diarrhea
Mild fever, sore throat, & skin rash
Headache, watery eyes, & runny nose - ANSWER-Sedation and muscle stiffness
, Which hallucination necessitates the nurse to implement safety measures? The patient
says,
"I hear angels playing harps."
"The voices say everyone is trying to kill me."
"My dead father tells me I am a good person."
"The voices talk only at night when I'm trying to sleep." - ANSWER-"The voices say
everyone is trying to kill me."
A patient's care plan includes monitoring for auditory hallucinations. Which assessment
findings suggest the patient may be hallucinating?
Detachment and overconfidence
Darting eyes, tilted head, mumbling to self
Euphoric mood, hyperactivity, distractibility
Foot tapping and repeatedly writing the same phrase - ANSWER-Darting eyes, tilted
head, mumbling to self
A health care provider considers which antipsychotic medication to prescribe for a
patient diagnosed with schizophrenia who has auditory hallucinations and poor social
function. The patient is also overweight and hypertensive. Which drug should the nurse
advocate?
Clozapine
Ziprasidone
Olanzapine
Aripiprazole - ANSWER-Aripiprazole
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "I eat skiller. Tend to end.
Easter. It blows away. Get it?" Select the nurse's best response.
"Nothing you are saying is clear."
"Your thoughts are very disconnected."
"Try to organize your thoughts and then tell me again."
"I am having difficulty understanding what you are saying." - ANSWER-"I am having
difficulty understanding what you are saying."
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia exhibits little spontaneous movement and
demonstrates waxy flexibility. Which patient needs are of priority importance?
Self-esteem
Psychological
Physiological
Self-Actualization - ANSWER-Physiological
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia demonstrates little spontaneous movement and
has waxy flexibility. The patient's activities of daily living are severely compromised. An
appropriate outcome would be that the patient will:
TECHNICIAN BOARD FINAL STUDY
REVIEW
Which neurotransmitter is reduced in people with schizophrenia?
Dopamine
GABA
Acetylcholine
Serotonin - ANSWER-GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid)
Prenatal and perinatal factors that result in the onset of schizophrenia include:
viral infection
maternal depression
maternal smoking
exposure to toxic waste - ANSWER-viral infection
Alterations in which part of the brain are linked to hallucinations, delusions, and thought
disorders associated with schizophrenia?
Parietal lobe
Limbic system
Temporal lobe
Hypothalamus - ANSWER-temporal lobe
Which neurotransmitter receptors are blocked by antipsychotic drugs?
Norepinephrine
GABA
Serotonin
Dopamine - ANSWER-Dopamine
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system abnormalities exist in a large percentage
of individuals with:
schizophrenia
major depression
mania
panic disorder - ANSWER-major depression
From 20% to 30% of individuals with depression have dysregulated:
sleep cycles
pitutiary function
thyroid function
eating patterns - ANSWER-thyroid function
,The common property among the three types of medications used to treat depression is
that they:
increase neurotransmitter levels within the synapse
decrease neurotransmitter levels in the postsynapse.
decrease neurotransmitter levels within the synapse. - ANSWER-increase
neurotransmitter levels within the synapse
What is the link between major depression and cortisol secretion?
Individuals with depression show suppression of plasma cortisol when given
dexamethasone.
Individuals with depression have a decreased plasma cortisol level despite
administration of exogenous corticosteroids.
Individuals with depression continue to exhibit elevated plasma cortisol levels
throughout the evening and early morning.
Individuals with depression have normal plasma cortisol levels throughout the day when
they take antidepressant medication as prescribed. - ANSWER-Individuals with
depression continue to exhibit elevated plasma cortisol levels throughout the evening
and early morning.
A newly admitted patient diagnosed with schizophrenia is hypervigilant and constantly
scans the environment. The patient states, "I saw two doctors talking in the hall. They
were plotting to kill me." The nurse may correctly assess this behavior as:
echolalia
an idea of reference
a delusion of infidelity
an auditory hallucination - ANSWER-an idea of reference
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia says, "My co-workers are out to get me. I also
saw two doctors plotting to kill me." How does this patient perceive the environment?
Disorganized
Dangerous
Supportive
Bizarre - ANSWER-Dangerous
When a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia was discharged 6 months ago,
haloperidol (Haldol) was prescribed. The patient now says, "I stopped taking those pills.
They made me feel like a robot." What are common side effects the nurse should
validate with the patient?
Sedation and muscle stiffness
Sweating, nausea, and diarrhea
Mild fever, sore throat, & skin rash
Headache, watery eyes, & runny nose - ANSWER-Sedation and muscle stiffness
, Which hallucination necessitates the nurse to implement safety measures? The patient
says,
"I hear angels playing harps."
"The voices say everyone is trying to kill me."
"My dead father tells me I am a good person."
"The voices talk only at night when I'm trying to sleep." - ANSWER-"The voices say
everyone is trying to kill me."
A patient's care plan includes monitoring for auditory hallucinations. Which assessment
findings suggest the patient may be hallucinating?
Detachment and overconfidence
Darting eyes, tilted head, mumbling to self
Euphoric mood, hyperactivity, distractibility
Foot tapping and repeatedly writing the same phrase - ANSWER-Darting eyes, tilted
head, mumbling to self
A health care provider considers which antipsychotic medication to prescribe for a
patient diagnosed with schizophrenia who has auditory hallucinations and poor social
function. The patient is also overweight and hypertensive. Which drug should the nurse
advocate?
Clozapine
Ziprasidone
Olanzapine
Aripiprazole - ANSWER-Aripiprazole
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "I eat skiller. Tend to end.
Easter. It blows away. Get it?" Select the nurse's best response.
"Nothing you are saying is clear."
"Your thoughts are very disconnected."
"Try to organize your thoughts and then tell me again."
"I am having difficulty understanding what you are saying." - ANSWER-"I am having
difficulty understanding what you are saying."
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia exhibits little spontaneous movement and
demonstrates waxy flexibility. Which patient needs are of priority importance?
Self-esteem
Psychological
Physiological
Self-Actualization - ANSWER-Physiological
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia demonstrates little spontaneous movement and
has waxy flexibility. The patient's activities of daily living are severely compromised. An
appropriate outcome would be that the patient will:
