PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN STATE BOARD REVIEW — 150
QUESTIONS and Correct Answers
1. What is the purpose of the AIMS test? - Correct Answer: It identifies the severity of a
seizure or tardive dyskinesia.
2. A male patient, 51-years-old, has been diagnosed with Major Depression. He been
isolating in his room since he was admitted to the hospital three days ago. A group
that focuses on feeling is about to begin. The psychiatric technician enters the
patient's room and states: - Correct Answer: "I'm going to escort you to the Feelings
Group that is starting soon."
3. When does stuttering typically first appear? - Correct Answer: Preschool years.
4. Most cases of stuttering are cause by: - Correct Answer: Emotional or psychological
factors.
5. The Psychiatric technician is aware that antipsychotic agents can cause side effects.
Early recognition would be critical for which of the following side effects? - Correct
Answer: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
6. The psychiatric technician is admitting a male patient from a nearby Indian
reservation. He or she would focus on what mental health concerns which relate to
the Native American population? - Correct Answer: Alcoholism, suicide, depression
and identity disorders.
7. A laboratory value for leukocytes reads, "10,500." The Psychiatric Technician
would know that this value is: - Correct Answer: Slightly high.
8. Which of the following diseases is an inherited disorder of the exocrine glands
causing persistent upper respiratory infections, chronic cough and foul-smelling
stools? - Correct Answer: Cystic fibrosis.
9. The psychiatric technician knows that the common insulin rotating injection sites
would include the: - Correct Answer: Upper arms, abdomen, and upper thighs.
10. An administration of Haldol Decanoate should not exceed how many milliliters per
injection site? - Correct Answer: 3.
11. Trichotillomania is the behavior that consists of: - Correct Answer: Recurrent pulling
out of one's hair resulting in noticeable hair loss.
12. The Psychiatric Technician would give which of the following instructions to a client
to prevent mouth or throat dryness resulting from the use of a bronchial inhaler? -
Correct Answer: Rinse mouth immediately after inhalation.
13. One of the main educational goals a psychiatric technician would implement when
working with an autistic child would be to: - Correct Answer: Provide a highly
structured program with predictable routines and presentation of material in graded steps.
14. A vitamin supplement a woman should take before contraception and during
pregnancy in order to decrease the risks of birth defects would be: - Correct
Answer: Folic acid.
15. A psychiatric technician would assist a client to develop two-hand coordination and
muscular strength by having the client: - Correct Answer: Manipulate clay or play-
dough between his/her hands.
, 16. Long-term therapy of phenobarbital may result in deficiencies of which of the
following vitamins? - Correct Answer: Vitamins B9, B12, D.
17. Some clients being maintained on Thorazine (chlorpromazine) may be administered
a dosage as high as how many milligrams a day in order to achieve a therapeutic
effect? - Correct Answer: 800–1,000 mg.
18. In general, the psychiatric technician would encourage his/her clients to eat more
food fro the first level of the food guide pyramid than from the other levels. Level 1
consists of: - Correct Answer: Bread, cereal, rice, pasta.
19. A psychiatric technician is instructed to take a client's temperature with an aural
thermometer. The psychiatric technician would place the thermometer in the
client's: - Correct Answer: Ear.
20. Which finger will show clinodactyly (lateral or medial bending) in a client with a
diagnosis of Down syndrome? - Correct Answer: Fifth.
21. A psychiatric technician is assisting a client to ambulate when the client faints. The
first step the psychiatric technician would implement would be to: - Correct
Answer: Gently lower the client to the floor.
22. Before insertion of a rectal suppository, the client would assume which of the
following positions? - Correct Answer: Sims' position.
23. To prevent an elderly client with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease from choking on
food that remains in his/her mouth after a meal ("squirreling food"), the psychiatric
technician would: - Correct Answer: Provide oral hygiene to the client.
24. One of the common nursing interventions for the client with Alzheimer's Disease
that wanders is to: - Correct Answer: Allow the client to wander in a prescribed area.
25. A psychiatric technician would seek clarification from the physician if he/she read
which two of the following medication on a client's medication administration
record: - Correct Answer: A tricyclic antidepressant and a monoamine oxidase
inhibitor antidepressant.
26. A psychiatric technician is admitting an elderly person with symptoms of depression
to an adult psychiatric unit. During the psychosocial assessment, the psychiatric
technician focuses on suicidal ideation and behavior. Another important area the
psychiatric technician will focus on is: - Correct Answer: The client's use of alcohol.
27. One of the most common mistakes a psychiatric technician can make in using flow
sheets is: - Correct Answer: Routinely check off whatever the previous shift check off.
28. A psychiatric technician is having a therapeutic dialogue with a newly admitted
client who is suspicious. The most important nursing intervention to use with this
type of client is to: - Correct Answer: Interact briefly and avoid making demands.
29. A client with severe mania may initially be given Thorazine (chlorpromazine) or
Haldol (haloperidol) along with lithium until the lithium becomes effective. The
psychiatric technician would be aware that: - Correct Answer: High doses of these
major tranquilizers will mask nausea and vomiting of lithium toxicity.
30. Tests involving which organs should be conducted before lithium therapy is
initiated? - Correct Answer: Kidneys and thyroid.
31. After a client has received electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), the psychiatric
technician would be alert for temporary signs of: - Correct Answer: Memory
impairment.
QUESTIONS and Correct Answers
1. What is the purpose of the AIMS test? - Correct Answer: It identifies the severity of a
seizure or tardive dyskinesia.
2. A male patient, 51-years-old, has been diagnosed with Major Depression. He been
isolating in his room since he was admitted to the hospital three days ago. A group
that focuses on feeling is about to begin. The psychiatric technician enters the
patient's room and states: - Correct Answer: "I'm going to escort you to the Feelings
Group that is starting soon."
3. When does stuttering typically first appear? - Correct Answer: Preschool years.
4. Most cases of stuttering are cause by: - Correct Answer: Emotional or psychological
factors.
5. The Psychiatric technician is aware that antipsychotic agents can cause side effects.
Early recognition would be critical for which of the following side effects? - Correct
Answer: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
6. The psychiatric technician is admitting a male patient from a nearby Indian
reservation. He or she would focus on what mental health concerns which relate to
the Native American population? - Correct Answer: Alcoholism, suicide, depression
and identity disorders.
7. A laboratory value for leukocytes reads, "10,500." The Psychiatric Technician
would know that this value is: - Correct Answer: Slightly high.
8. Which of the following diseases is an inherited disorder of the exocrine glands
causing persistent upper respiratory infections, chronic cough and foul-smelling
stools? - Correct Answer: Cystic fibrosis.
9. The psychiatric technician knows that the common insulin rotating injection sites
would include the: - Correct Answer: Upper arms, abdomen, and upper thighs.
10. An administration of Haldol Decanoate should not exceed how many milliliters per
injection site? - Correct Answer: 3.
11. Trichotillomania is the behavior that consists of: - Correct Answer: Recurrent pulling
out of one's hair resulting in noticeable hair loss.
12. The Psychiatric Technician would give which of the following instructions to a client
to prevent mouth or throat dryness resulting from the use of a bronchial inhaler? -
Correct Answer: Rinse mouth immediately after inhalation.
13. One of the main educational goals a psychiatric technician would implement when
working with an autistic child would be to: - Correct Answer: Provide a highly
structured program with predictable routines and presentation of material in graded steps.
14. A vitamin supplement a woman should take before contraception and during
pregnancy in order to decrease the risks of birth defects would be: - Correct
Answer: Folic acid.
15. A psychiatric technician would assist a client to develop two-hand coordination and
muscular strength by having the client: - Correct Answer: Manipulate clay or play-
dough between his/her hands.
, 16. Long-term therapy of phenobarbital may result in deficiencies of which of the
following vitamins? - Correct Answer: Vitamins B9, B12, D.
17. Some clients being maintained on Thorazine (chlorpromazine) may be administered
a dosage as high as how many milligrams a day in order to achieve a therapeutic
effect? - Correct Answer: 800–1,000 mg.
18. In general, the psychiatric technician would encourage his/her clients to eat more
food fro the first level of the food guide pyramid than from the other levels. Level 1
consists of: - Correct Answer: Bread, cereal, rice, pasta.
19. A psychiatric technician is instructed to take a client's temperature with an aural
thermometer. The psychiatric technician would place the thermometer in the
client's: - Correct Answer: Ear.
20. Which finger will show clinodactyly (lateral or medial bending) in a client with a
diagnosis of Down syndrome? - Correct Answer: Fifth.
21. A psychiatric technician is assisting a client to ambulate when the client faints. The
first step the psychiatric technician would implement would be to: - Correct
Answer: Gently lower the client to the floor.
22. Before insertion of a rectal suppository, the client would assume which of the
following positions? - Correct Answer: Sims' position.
23. To prevent an elderly client with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease from choking on
food that remains in his/her mouth after a meal ("squirreling food"), the psychiatric
technician would: - Correct Answer: Provide oral hygiene to the client.
24. One of the common nursing interventions for the client with Alzheimer's Disease
that wanders is to: - Correct Answer: Allow the client to wander in a prescribed area.
25. A psychiatric technician would seek clarification from the physician if he/she read
which two of the following medication on a client's medication administration
record: - Correct Answer: A tricyclic antidepressant and a monoamine oxidase
inhibitor antidepressant.
26. A psychiatric technician is admitting an elderly person with symptoms of depression
to an adult psychiatric unit. During the psychosocial assessment, the psychiatric
technician focuses on suicidal ideation and behavior. Another important area the
psychiatric technician will focus on is: - Correct Answer: The client's use of alcohol.
27. One of the most common mistakes a psychiatric technician can make in using flow
sheets is: - Correct Answer: Routinely check off whatever the previous shift check off.
28. A psychiatric technician is having a therapeutic dialogue with a newly admitted
client who is suspicious. The most important nursing intervention to use with this
type of client is to: - Correct Answer: Interact briefly and avoid making demands.
29. A client with severe mania may initially be given Thorazine (chlorpromazine) or
Haldol (haloperidol) along with lithium until the lithium becomes effective. The
psychiatric technician would be aware that: - Correct Answer: High doses of these
major tranquilizers will mask nausea and vomiting of lithium toxicity.
30. Tests involving which organs should be conducted before lithium therapy is
initiated? - Correct Answer: Kidneys and thyroid.
31. After a client has received electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), the psychiatric
technician would be alert for temporary signs of: - Correct Answer: Memory
impairment.
