LATEST VERSION OF CALIFORNIA
PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN BOARD
WRITTEN PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026/2027
Which type of enema should be retained?
a. Medicated.
b. Normal saline.
c. Soap suds.
d. Tap water. - ANSWER-a. Medicated
What would you instruct a consumer to avoid eating if the consumer is on a lowresidue
diet?
a. Fresh fruits and vegetables.
b. whole grain bread and fruits.
c. Dairy products.
d. Full liquids. - ANSWER-b. whole grain bread and fruits.
Your male patient is requesting assistance with voiding. The patient is unable to
ambulate to the bathroom. Which technique would be most helpful?
a. Assist the patient with use of a fracture pan.
b. Apply a condom catheter to the penis.
c. Assist the patient to a standing position with the urinal.
d. Turn the patient in the left lateral Sim's position and help place the urinal. - ANSWER-
c. Assist the patient to a standing position with the urinal.
The rationale for use of hand rolls is:
a. Prevention of flexion contractures of the hand.
b. To maintain the hands in a pronated position.
c. To provide active range of motion for the hands.
d. To keep the fingers in an abducted position. - ANSWER-a. Prevention of flexion
contractures of the hand.
The consumer receiving an enema should be placed in the ________position?
a. Fowler's
b. Lithotomy
c. Left Lateral
d. Right recumbent - ANSWER-c. Left Lateral
The Psychiatric Technician suspects that a consumer has pinworms. After securing a
physcian's orders the Psychiatric Technician will take which of the following actions?
a. Examine the color of the stool for indications of bleeding
,b. Scotch tape test collected between 3am and 6 am.
c. Guiac test following each bowel movement for eight hours.
d. Call the lab and request a blood drawn for levels - ANSWER-b. Scotch tape test
collected between 3am and 6 am.
Which position is used for most of the physical examination and can be uncomfortable
for a patient with back problems?
a. Supine
b. Kneechest
c. Prone
d. Sim's - ANSWER-a. Supine
Which action is inappropriate when positioning a patient?
a. When logroll turning the patient, keep the body in a straight alignment.
b. Use a transfer board or bridge for patients who are unable to stand.
c. Use a broad base of support when transferring patients.
d. When moving a patient to the side of the bed, bed at the back and pull with your
arms. - ANSWER-d. When moving a patient to the side of the bed, bed at the back and
pull with your arms.
Which of the following reflects a basic principle of body mechanics?
a. More energy is needed to keep an object moving than to stop it.
b. Pushing or pulling is easier than lifting.
c. Rocking to use your body weight is not recommended.
d. Using the back muscles is recommended. - ANSWER-b. Pushing or pulling is easier
than lifting.
When completing Active ROM exercises on a patient's elbow, which of the following is
the correct motion?
a. Abduction
b. Adduction
c. Flexion
d. Pronation - ANSWER-c. Flexion
When a restraint is ordered, the patient will need to be observed at least:
a. Every 15 minutes.
b. Hourly.
c. Every 2 hours.
d. Every 4 hours. - ANSWER-a. Every 15 minutes.
What is the best way to secure a wheelchair restraint?
a. A quick release knot on the back of the chair.
b. A knot secured at the base of the chair.
c. A knot behind the patient's back.
d. A loop around each arm rest. - ANSWER-a. A quick release knot on the back of the
chair.
,What is the rationale for taping a roll of guaze to the gastrostomy tube?
a. To prevent the tube from being ingested by peristalsis.
b. To label the tube as the patient's.
c. To give the patient something to hold on to.
d. As an anchor when giving medications. - ANSWER-a. To prevent the tube from being
ingested by peristalsis.
When a rectal tube is used to relieve flatulence or enhance peristalsis, it should be
inserted for no more than ________minutes?
a. 5
b. 10
c. 15
d. 20 - ANSWER-d. 20
A patient begins to tell the Psychiatric Technician about the death of her husband.Which
would be the best therapeutic communication technique?
a. clarifying
b. Questioning
c. Interpreting
d. Silence - ANSWER-d. Silence
The Psychiatric Technician, reinforces the physician's request that his patient with
COPD stop smoking. The Psychiatric Technician knows that:
a. nicotine reduces airway function and constricts blood vessels
b. cigarette smoking increases carbon dioxide consumption
c. cigarette smoking causes nervousness
d. nicotine causes dilitation of coronary arteries - ANSWER-a. nicotine reduces airway
function and constricts blood vessels
The purpose of a trochanter roll is...
a. To reduce the strain on the care-providers back
b. To immobilize the bone to reduce further injury
c. To support the patients back when doing a two-person lift
d. To support the hips and legs, preventing the external rotation - ANSWER-d. To
support the hips and legs, preventing the external rotation
Which of the following actions would be appropriate when caring for an unconscious
client?
a. Describe the care procedures as you provide the care to the client.
b. Discuss the client when completing care.
c. Enter the room quietly without talking.
d. Perform all care silently - ANSWER-a. Describe the care procedures as you provide
the care to the client.
, When using acetone to remove tape adhesive, which precaution should the Psychiatric
Technician take?
a. Avoid pulling the hair with the removal of tape.
b. Avoid slow movements, pull tape off quickly.
c. Never use acetone on an open wound.
d. Never use acetone on the client's skin. - ANSWER-c. Never use acetone on an open
wound.
Which roller bandage [ace wrap] would appropriate for an average adult client's
extremity?
a. 1/2 inch
b. 2 inch
c. 5 inch
d. 8 inch - ANSWER-b. 2 inch
The purpose of a "Clinitest" exam is to:
a. Identify protein in the blood.
b. Assess sugar in the urine.
c. Look for ketones in the blood.
d. Assess for increased weight loss. - ANSWER-b. Assess sugar in the urine.
Ketones in the urine may be a reflection of:
a. Weight gain.
b. Diabetes that may be out of control.
c. Bacteria in the urine.
d. Blood in the urine. - ANSWER-b. Diabetes that may be out of control.
What instructions would you give to a client taking enteric coated medication?
a. Place the medication under the tongue and dissolve slowly.
b. Crush the tablet and take with pudding or jello.
c. Do not chew the medication.
d. Take this medication without liquids. - ANSWER-c. Do not chew the medication.
Which fo the following urine specific gravity measurements indicates the most dilute
urine?
a. 1.010
b. 1.019
c. 1.020
d. 1.025 - ANSWER-a. 1.010
A client had 240 ml cup of ice chips; 120 ml of coffee; and a 4 ounce cup of juice. The
client voided 250 ml at noon and had 120 ml of emesis. Calculate I/O.
a. Intake: 364 ml, output: 370 ml
b. Intake: 360 ml, output: 250 ml
c. Intake: 480 ml, output: 370 ml
d. Intake: 480 ml, output: 120 ml - ANSWER-c. Intake: 480 ml, output: 370 ml
PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN BOARD
WRITTEN PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026/2027
Which type of enema should be retained?
a. Medicated.
b. Normal saline.
c. Soap suds.
d. Tap water. - ANSWER-a. Medicated
What would you instruct a consumer to avoid eating if the consumer is on a lowresidue
diet?
a. Fresh fruits and vegetables.
b. whole grain bread and fruits.
c. Dairy products.
d. Full liquids. - ANSWER-b. whole grain bread and fruits.
Your male patient is requesting assistance with voiding. The patient is unable to
ambulate to the bathroom. Which technique would be most helpful?
a. Assist the patient with use of a fracture pan.
b. Apply a condom catheter to the penis.
c. Assist the patient to a standing position with the urinal.
d. Turn the patient in the left lateral Sim's position and help place the urinal. - ANSWER-
c. Assist the patient to a standing position with the urinal.
The rationale for use of hand rolls is:
a. Prevention of flexion contractures of the hand.
b. To maintain the hands in a pronated position.
c. To provide active range of motion for the hands.
d. To keep the fingers in an abducted position. - ANSWER-a. Prevention of flexion
contractures of the hand.
The consumer receiving an enema should be placed in the ________position?
a. Fowler's
b. Lithotomy
c. Left Lateral
d. Right recumbent - ANSWER-c. Left Lateral
The Psychiatric Technician suspects that a consumer has pinworms. After securing a
physcian's orders the Psychiatric Technician will take which of the following actions?
a. Examine the color of the stool for indications of bleeding
,b. Scotch tape test collected between 3am and 6 am.
c. Guiac test following each bowel movement for eight hours.
d. Call the lab and request a blood drawn for levels - ANSWER-b. Scotch tape test
collected between 3am and 6 am.
Which position is used for most of the physical examination and can be uncomfortable
for a patient with back problems?
a. Supine
b. Kneechest
c. Prone
d. Sim's - ANSWER-a. Supine
Which action is inappropriate when positioning a patient?
a. When logroll turning the patient, keep the body in a straight alignment.
b. Use a transfer board or bridge for patients who are unable to stand.
c. Use a broad base of support when transferring patients.
d. When moving a patient to the side of the bed, bed at the back and pull with your
arms. - ANSWER-d. When moving a patient to the side of the bed, bed at the back and
pull with your arms.
Which of the following reflects a basic principle of body mechanics?
a. More energy is needed to keep an object moving than to stop it.
b. Pushing or pulling is easier than lifting.
c. Rocking to use your body weight is not recommended.
d. Using the back muscles is recommended. - ANSWER-b. Pushing or pulling is easier
than lifting.
When completing Active ROM exercises on a patient's elbow, which of the following is
the correct motion?
a. Abduction
b. Adduction
c. Flexion
d. Pronation - ANSWER-c. Flexion
When a restraint is ordered, the patient will need to be observed at least:
a. Every 15 minutes.
b. Hourly.
c. Every 2 hours.
d. Every 4 hours. - ANSWER-a. Every 15 minutes.
What is the best way to secure a wheelchair restraint?
a. A quick release knot on the back of the chair.
b. A knot secured at the base of the chair.
c. A knot behind the patient's back.
d. A loop around each arm rest. - ANSWER-a. A quick release knot on the back of the
chair.
,What is the rationale for taping a roll of guaze to the gastrostomy tube?
a. To prevent the tube from being ingested by peristalsis.
b. To label the tube as the patient's.
c. To give the patient something to hold on to.
d. As an anchor when giving medications. - ANSWER-a. To prevent the tube from being
ingested by peristalsis.
When a rectal tube is used to relieve flatulence or enhance peristalsis, it should be
inserted for no more than ________minutes?
a. 5
b. 10
c. 15
d. 20 - ANSWER-d. 20
A patient begins to tell the Psychiatric Technician about the death of her husband.Which
would be the best therapeutic communication technique?
a. clarifying
b. Questioning
c. Interpreting
d. Silence - ANSWER-d. Silence
The Psychiatric Technician, reinforces the physician's request that his patient with
COPD stop smoking. The Psychiatric Technician knows that:
a. nicotine reduces airway function and constricts blood vessels
b. cigarette smoking increases carbon dioxide consumption
c. cigarette smoking causes nervousness
d. nicotine causes dilitation of coronary arteries - ANSWER-a. nicotine reduces airway
function and constricts blood vessels
The purpose of a trochanter roll is...
a. To reduce the strain on the care-providers back
b. To immobilize the bone to reduce further injury
c. To support the patients back when doing a two-person lift
d. To support the hips and legs, preventing the external rotation - ANSWER-d. To
support the hips and legs, preventing the external rotation
Which of the following actions would be appropriate when caring for an unconscious
client?
a. Describe the care procedures as you provide the care to the client.
b. Discuss the client when completing care.
c. Enter the room quietly without talking.
d. Perform all care silently - ANSWER-a. Describe the care procedures as you provide
the care to the client.
, When using acetone to remove tape adhesive, which precaution should the Psychiatric
Technician take?
a. Avoid pulling the hair with the removal of tape.
b. Avoid slow movements, pull tape off quickly.
c. Never use acetone on an open wound.
d. Never use acetone on the client's skin. - ANSWER-c. Never use acetone on an open
wound.
Which roller bandage [ace wrap] would appropriate for an average adult client's
extremity?
a. 1/2 inch
b. 2 inch
c. 5 inch
d. 8 inch - ANSWER-b. 2 inch
The purpose of a "Clinitest" exam is to:
a. Identify protein in the blood.
b. Assess sugar in the urine.
c. Look for ketones in the blood.
d. Assess for increased weight loss. - ANSWER-b. Assess sugar in the urine.
Ketones in the urine may be a reflection of:
a. Weight gain.
b. Diabetes that may be out of control.
c. Bacteria in the urine.
d. Blood in the urine. - ANSWER-b. Diabetes that may be out of control.
What instructions would you give to a client taking enteric coated medication?
a. Place the medication under the tongue and dissolve slowly.
b. Crush the tablet and take with pudding or jello.
c. Do not chew the medication.
d. Take this medication without liquids. - ANSWER-c. Do not chew the medication.
Which fo the following urine specific gravity measurements indicates the most dilute
urine?
a. 1.010
b. 1.019
c. 1.020
d. 1.025 - ANSWER-a. 1.010
A client had 240 ml cup of ice chips; 120 ml of coffee; and a 4 ounce cup of juice. The
client voided 250 ml at noon and had 120 ml of emesis. Calculate I/O.
a. Intake: 364 ml, output: 370 ml
b. Intake: 360 ml, output: 250 ml
c. Intake: 480 ml, output: 370 ml
d. Intake: 480 ml, output: 120 ml - ANSWER-c. Intake: 480 ml, output: 370 ml
