LATEST CALIFORNIA PSYCHIATRIC
TECHNICIAN BOARD EXAM REVIEW
2026/2027
Your client tells you that his wife of 20 years left without warning. He continues to tell
you in a calm manner that they were never compatible. You recognize this as:
Intellectualization
Projection
Fantasy
Displacement - ANSWER-Intellectualization
Your client complains of the following symptoms: anxiety, drowsiness and headache.
You recognize these as side effects of which one of the following medication?
fluoxetine
risperidone
benztropine
alprazolam - ANSWER-fluoxetine
The client tells you that they feel they can tell you anything because they know you
"care" about them and will "protect them." You recognize this as an example of:
Catharsis
Empathy
Self-efficacy
Transference - ANSWER-Transference
Your client tells you they are about to begin systematic desensitization with their doctor.
The client states they are terrified to face their fears. Which of the following would be
appropriate teaching?
"Your early life experiences determine your ability to cope in your daily life."
"You will be trained to relax during the first couple of weeks before you even have to
identify your fears."
"You will be exposed to your fears for varying lengths of time during the one
desensitization session."
"Your doctor will carefully measure all sensory responses during your session." -
ANSWER-"You will be trained to relax during the first couple of weeks before you even
have to identify your fears."
As a part of an interdisciplinary team you understand which of the following treatment
plans would be most effective for a client with the diagnosis of depression?
Psychotropic medication with self-monitoring
Psychotropic medication with behavioral therapy
Psychotropic medication with psychotherapy
, Psychotropic medication with monitoring for side effects - ANSWER-Psychotropic
medication with psychotherapy
Which of the following statements would a client diagnosed with social phobia make in
response to: "What is most disruptive in your life?"
"I feel like I can't breathe when I get in the elevator at work."
"Sometimes I feel like my heart is pounding so fast and the walls are closing in on me
for no reason."
"I can't go into crowded stores or anywhere unless my sister is with me."
"I was just promoted at work and found out I will have to make presentation; I have
never been able to speak in public." - ANSWER-"I was just promoted at work and found
out I will have to make presentation; I have never been able to speak in public."
Your client is diagnosed with social phobia. Your teaching includes the importance of
following an interdisciplinary treatment plan including?
Benzodiazepines and journaling
Antidepressant therapy and social situation role-playing
Atypical anti-psychotics and systematic desensitization
Developing a fear hierarchy and flooding technique - ANSWER-Antidepressant therapy
and social situation role-playing
Your client has a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder with ritualistic behavior.
Which of the following statements made by the client would support this diagnosis?
"I feel so guilty about not cleaning."
"I hate the thoughts I have. I feel better when I resist the thoughts."
"I feel safe only after I check all my door and window locks three times before I go to
bed."
"Sometimes I have to wash my hands 20 to 30 times each day." - ANSWER-"I feel safe
only after I check all my door and window locks three times before I go to bed."
What is the primary function of the psychiatric technician in a disaster situation?
Helping clients with basic survival needs
Dealing with acute distress disorders
Normalizing clients' responses to the disaster
Diffusing anxiety, anger and frustration regarding the disaster - ANSWER-Helping
clients with basic survival needs
War veterans that experience rage and guilt as a part of post traumatic stress disorder
would benefit most from which of the following interventions?
Exposure and response prevention
Group therapy and informal discussion groups
Family and individual therapy
Role-playing and re-enactments - ANSWER-Group therapy and informal discussion
groups
TECHNICIAN BOARD EXAM REVIEW
2026/2027
Your client tells you that his wife of 20 years left without warning. He continues to tell
you in a calm manner that they were never compatible. You recognize this as:
Intellectualization
Projection
Fantasy
Displacement - ANSWER-Intellectualization
Your client complains of the following symptoms: anxiety, drowsiness and headache.
You recognize these as side effects of which one of the following medication?
fluoxetine
risperidone
benztropine
alprazolam - ANSWER-fluoxetine
The client tells you that they feel they can tell you anything because they know you
"care" about them and will "protect them." You recognize this as an example of:
Catharsis
Empathy
Self-efficacy
Transference - ANSWER-Transference
Your client tells you they are about to begin systematic desensitization with their doctor.
The client states they are terrified to face their fears. Which of the following would be
appropriate teaching?
"Your early life experiences determine your ability to cope in your daily life."
"You will be trained to relax during the first couple of weeks before you even have to
identify your fears."
"You will be exposed to your fears for varying lengths of time during the one
desensitization session."
"Your doctor will carefully measure all sensory responses during your session." -
ANSWER-"You will be trained to relax during the first couple of weeks before you even
have to identify your fears."
As a part of an interdisciplinary team you understand which of the following treatment
plans would be most effective for a client with the diagnosis of depression?
Psychotropic medication with self-monitoring
Psychotropic medication with behavioral therapy
Psychotropic medication with psychotherapy
, Psychotropic medication with monitoring for side effects - ANSWER-Psychotropic
medication with psychotherapy
Which of the following statements would a client diagnosed with social phobia make in
response to: "What is most disruptive in your life?"
"I feel like I can't breathe when I get in the elevator at work."
"Sometimes I feel like my heart is pounding so fast and the walls are closing in on me
for no reason."
"I can't go into crowded stores or anywhere unless my sister is with me."
"I was just promoted at work and found out I will have to make presentation; I have
never been able to speak in public." - ANSWER-"I was just promoted at work and found
out I will have to make presentation; I have never been able to speak in public."
Your client is diagnosed with social phobia. Your teaching includes the importance of
following an interdisciplinary treatment plan including?
Benzodiazepines and journaling
Antidepressant therapy and social situation role-playing
Atypical anti-psychotics and systematic desensitization
Developing a fear hierarchy and flooding technique - ANSWER-Antidepressant therapy
and social situation role-playing
Your client has a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder with ritualistic behavior.
Which of the following statements made by the client would support this diagnosis?
"I feel so guilty about not cleaning."
"I hate the thoughts I have. I feel better when I resist the thoughts."
"I feel safe only after I check all my door and window locks three times before I go to
bed."
"Sometimes I have to wash my hands 20 to 30 times each day." - ANSWER-"I feel safe
only after I check all my door and window locks three times before I go to bed."
What is the primary function of the psychiatric technician in a disaster situation?
Helping clients with basic survival needs
Dealing with acute distress disorders
Normalizing clients' responses to the disaster
Diffusing anxiety, anger and frustration regarding the disaster - ANSWER-Helping
clients with basic survival needs
War veterans that experience rage and guilt as a part of post traumatic stress disorder
would benefit most from which of the following interventions?
Exposure and response prevention
Group therapy and informal discussion groups
Family and individual therapy
Role-playing and re-enactments - ANSWER-Group therapy and informal discussion
groups
