Psychiatric Technician Developmental
Disabilities Board Exam Questions &
Answers/ Newest 2025
1. The psychiatric technician is teaching the client how to put on socks. The psychiatric
technician and the client each have a pair of socks. The psychiatric technician first puts
on her socks and then encourages the client to put his socks on his feet. This type of
teaching strategy is referred to as:
A. Arranging the environment.
B. A verbal cue.
C. Modeling.
D. Physical assistance. - CORRECT ANSWER-C. Modeling.
The rational for this answer is that modeling refers to a teaching strategy where the
teacher demonstrates the desired behavior or skill for the learner to imitate. In this
scenario, the psychiatric technician first puts on her socks as a model for the client,
encouraging him to follow suit. Arranging the environment involves modifying the
physical or social environment to support learning or behavior change. A verbal cue
involves providing instructions or prompts through spoken words. Physical assistance
refers to physically helping the client perform the task. In this case, the description
aligns with the concept of modeling as the teaching strategy employed.
2. Jenny Johnson, a psychiatric technician, wants her clients to be focusing on the most
desirable employment for a developmentally disabled person. This type of work is
referred to as:
A. An activity program.
B. Competitive employment.
C. Supported work program.
D. Sheltered workshop. - CORRECT ANSWER-B. Competitive employment
Rationale: This term indicates that the person is engaged in work that is similar to that
of individuals without disabilities, where they have the opportunity to compete for and
hold regular jobs in the community. Competitive employment is considered the most
desirable option because it promotes inclusion, independence, and self-sufficiency for
individuals with developmental disabilities. It allows them to fully participate in society
and experience the benefits of meaningful work, such as financial independence, social
interaction, and personal growth.
3. A speech disorder that is believed to be a result of stress most of the time and is also
referred to as a fluency disorder is called:
A. Voice disorder.
B. Echolalia.
C. Stuttering.
,D. Articulation defects. - CORRECT ANSWER-C. Stuttering
Rationale: stuttering is recognized as a communication disorder characterized by
disruptions in the flow of speech. It often leads to impaired verbal fluency and can
negatively impact a person's ability to communicate effectively. While stress can
exacerbate stuttering, it is important to note that there are multiple factors involved in
the development and maintenance of this disorder, including genetic, neurological, and
environmental factors.
4. According to the Lanterman Act, a developmental disability must originate before
age:
A. 16.
B. 18.
C. 21.
D. 23 - CORRECT ANSWER-B. 18
Rationale: The Lanterman Act is a California law that provides services and support for
individuals with developmental disabilities. It defines a developmental disability as a
disability that originates before the age of 18, continues indefinitely, and significantly
impairs a person's ability to function in at least three major life areas, such as self-care,
communication, and learning. This age cutoff is important for determining eligibility for
services and support under the Lanterman Act.
5. The psychiatric technician is interacting with a group of developmentally disabled
clients.
All of a sudden one of the clients falls down and appears to be having a grand mal
seizure.
The psychiatric technician would utilize all of the following nursing interventions except:
A. Loosen tight clothing.
B. Do not restrain movements.
C. Put an object, such as a spoon, between the teeth.
D. Stay with the person until the seizure is over and consciousness is regained. -
CORRECT ANSWER-C. Put an object, such as a spoon, between the teeth.
Rationale: Putting an object between the teeth during a seizure is contraindicated
(SHOULD NOT DO) because it can cause injury to the person's teeth, jaw, or airway. It
is important for the psychiatric technician to have knowledge of appropriate nursing
interventions during a seizure to ensure the safety and well-being of the individual.
6. Some evidence has shown that there may be a possible relationship between older
clients with Down syndrome and:
A. Parkinson's disease.
B. Alzheimer's disease.
C. Huntington's chorea.
D. Multiple sclerosis. - CORRECT ANSWER-B. Alzheimer's disease
, Rationale: Research has suggested that there is a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's
disease (A progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental
functions) among individuals with Down syndrome as they age. The extra copy of
chromosome 21 carries the gene for amyloid precursor protein (APP), which is involved
in the production of beta-amyloid plaques. These plaques are a hallmark of Alzheimer's
disease. Individuals with Down syndrome have increased levels of beta-amyloid,
making them more susceptible to the development of Alzheimer's pathology.
Additionally, the triplication of other genes on chromosome 21, such as SOD1 and
DYRK1A, may also contribute to the increased risk of Alzheimer's disease in this
population.
7. The most common cause of Down syndrome is:
A. Translocation.
B. Trisomy 21.
C. Mosaicism.
D. Nondisjunction. - CORRECT ANSWER-B. Trisomy 21.
8. The psychiatric technician reinforces a client exactly every ten minutes when the
client is cleaning his room. This type of intermittent reinforcement is referred to as:
A. Fixed-interval.
B. Variable-interval.
C. Fixed-ratio.
D. Variable-ratio. - CORRECT ANSWER-A. Fixed-interval.
Rarionale: Intermittent reinforcement refers to a type of reinforcement schedule where
responses are reinforced only occasionally or intermittently. In this scenario, the
psychiatric technician reinforces the client every ten minutes when the client is cleaning
his room. The reinforcement is provided at fixed time intervals (every ten minutes),
regardless of the client's behavior. This is an example of a fixed-interval schedule,
where reinforcement is delivered after a fixed amount of time has elapsed since the
previous reinforcement.
9. Which of the following is an example of the Premack Principle?
A. When Helen is not scratching her face, she receives verbal praise.
B. Kevin would rather play his compact discs than set the table for dinner. The rule is he
can't listen to his compact discs until after he sets the table for dinner.
C. David gets reinforced after every fifth dish he washes.
D. Judy gets a token every time she uses the toilet. At the end of the day she gets to
cash in her tokens for a snack. - CORRECT ANSWER-B. Kevin would rather play his
compact discs than set the table for dinner. The rule is he can't listen to his compact
discs until after he sets the table for dinner.
Rationale: The Premack Principle, also known as "Grandma's Rule," states that a high-
probability behavior can be used to reinforce a low-probability behavior. In this example,
Kevin prefers playing his compact discs (high-probability behavior) over setting the table
for dinner (low-probability behavior). The rule that he can only listen to his compact
Disabilities Board Exam Questions &
Answers/ Newest 2025
1. The psychiatric technician is teaching the client how to put on socks. The psychiatric
technician and the client each have a pair of socks. The psychiatric technician first puts
on her socks and then encourages the client to put his socks on his feet. This type of
teaching strategy is referred to as:
A. Arranging the environment.
B. A verbal cue.
C. Modeling.
D. Physical assistance. - CORRECT ANSWER-C. Modeling.
The rational for this answer is that modeling refers to a teaching strategy where the
teacher demonstrates the desired behavior or skill for the learner to imitate. In this
scenario, the psychiatric technician first puts on her socks as a model for the client,
encouraging him to follow suit. Arranging the environment involves modifying the
physical or social environment to support learning or behavior change. A verbal cue
involves providing instructions or prompts through spoken words. Physical assistance
refers to physically helping the client perform the task. In this case, the description
aligns with the concept of modeling as the teaching strategy employed.
2. Jenny Johnson, a psychiatric technician, wants her clients to be focusing on the most
desirable employment for a developmentally disabled person. This type of work is
referred to as:
A. An activity program.
B. Competitive employment.
C. Supported work program.
D. Sheltered workshop. - CORRECT ANSWER-B. Competitive employment
Rationale: This term indicates that the person is engaged in work that is similar to that
of individuals without disabilities, where they have the opportunity to compete for and
hold regular jobs in the community. Competitive employment is considered the most
desirable option because it promotes inclusion, independence, and self-sufficiency for
individuals with developmental disabilities. It allows them to fully participate in society
and experience the benefits of meaningful work, such as financial independence, social
interaction, and personal growth.
3. A speech disorder that is believed to be a result of stress most of the time and is also
referred to as a fluency disorder is called:
A. Voice disorder.
B. Echolalia.
C. Stuttering.
,D. Articulation defects. - CORRECT ANSWER-C. Stuttering
Rationale: stuttering is recognized as a communication disorder characterized by
disruptions in the flow of speech. It often leads to impaired verbal fluency and can
negatively impact a person's ability to communicate effectively. While stress can
exacerbate stuttering, it is important to note that there are multiple factors involved in
the development and maintenance of this disorder, including genetic, neurological, and
environmental factors.
4. According to the Lanterman Act, a developmental disability must originate before
age:
A. 16.
B. 18.
C. 21.
D. 23 - CORRECT ANSWER-B. 18
Rationale: The Lanterman Act is a California law that provides services and support for
individuals with developmental disabilities. It defines a developmental disability as a
disability that originates before the age of 18, continues indefinitely, and significantly
impairs a person's ability to function in at least three major life areas, such as self-care,
communication, and learning. This age cutoff is important for determining eligibility for
services and support under the Lanterman Act.
5. The psychiatric technician is interacting with a group of developmentally disabled
clients.
All of a sudden one of the clients falls down and appears to be having a grand mal
seizure.
The psychiatric technician would utilize all of the following nursing interventions except:
A. Loosen tight clothing.
B. Do not restrain movements.
C. Put an object, such as a spoon, between the teeth.
D. Stay with the person until the seizure is over and consciousness is regained. -
CORRECT ANSWER-C. Put an object, such as a spoon, between the teeth.
Rationale: Putting an object between the teeth during a seizure is contraindicated
(SHOULD NOT DO) because it can cause injury to the person's teeth, jaw, or airway. It
is important for the psychiatric technician to have knowledge of appropriate nursing
interventions during a seizure to ensure the safety and well-being of the individual.
6. Some evidence has shown that there may be a possible relationship between older
clients with Down syndrome and:
A. Parkinson's disease.
B. Alzheimer's disease.
C. Huntington's chorea.
D. Multiple sclerosis. - CORRECT ANSWER-B. Alzheimer's disease
, Rationale: Research has suggested that there is a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's
disease (A progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental
functions) among individuals with Down syndrome as they age. The extra copy of
chromosome 21 carries the gene for amyloid precursor protein (APP), which is involved
in the production of beta-amyloid plaques. These plaques are a hallmark of Alzheimer's
disease. Individuals with Down syndrome have increased levels of beta-amyloid,
making them more susceptible to the development of Alzheimer's pathology.
Additionally, the triplication of other genes on chromosome 21, such as SOD1 and
DYRK1A, may also contribute to the increased risk of Alzheimer's disease in this
population.
7. The most common cause of Down syndrome is:
A. Translocation.
B. Trisomy 21.
C. Mosaicism.
D. Nondisjunction. - CORRECT ANSWER-B. Trisomy 21.
8. The psychiatric technician reinforces a client exactly every ten minutes when the
client is cleaning his room. This type of intermittent reinforcement is referred to as:
A. Fixed-interval.
B. Variable-interval.
C. Fixed-ratio.
D. Variable-ratio. - CORRECT ANSWER-A. Fixed-interval.
Rarionale: Intermittent reinforcement refers to a type of reinforcement schedule where
responses are reinforced only occasionally or intermittently. In this scenario, the
psychiatric technician reinforces the client every ten minutes when the client is cleaning
his room. The reinforcement is provided at fixed time intervals (every ten minutes),
regardless of the client's behavior. This is an example of a fixed-interval schedule,
where reinforcement is delivered after a fixed amount of time has elapsed since the
previous reinforcement.
9. Which of the following is an example of the Premack Principle?
A. When Helen is not scratching her face, she receives verbal praise.
B. Kevin would rather play his compact discs than set the table for dinner. The rule is he
can't listen to his compact discs until after he sets the table for dinner.
C. David gets reinforced after every fifth dish he washes.
D. Judy gets a token every time she uses the toilet. At the end of the day she gets to
cash in her tokens for a snack. - CORRECT ANSWER-B. Kevin would rather play his
compact discs than set the table for dinner. The rule is he can't listen to his compact
discs until after he sets the table for dinner.
Rationale: The Premack Principle, also known as "Grandma's Rule," states that a high-
probability behavior can be used to reinforce a low-probability behavior. In this example,
Kevin prefers playing his compact discs (high-probability behavior) over setting the table
for dinner (low-probability behavior). The rule that he can only listen to his compact
