PSYCHIATRIC STATE BOARD EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
This Psychiatric State Board Exam Questions with Answers (2025/2026) test
bank offers unique multiple-choice questions with verified answers and detailed
rationales. It covers Alzheimer's disease, psychiatric medications, therapeutic
communication, crisis intervention, child and adolescent psychiatry, geriatric
psychiatry, legal and ethical issues, and psychiatric emergencies. Ideal for
psychiatric technicians, nursing students, and healthcare professionals preparing
for state board certification exams
Section 1: Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Care (Questions 1–30)
1. To prevent an elderly client with Alzheimer's disease from choking on food
that remains in the mouth after a meal ("squirrelling food"), what should the
psychiatric technician do?
A. Provide oral hygiene to the client.
B. Encourage the client to drink more water.
C. Administer a chewable aspirin.
D. Restrict the client's diet to liquids only.
A. Provide oral hygiene to the client.
Rationale: Squirrelling food (holding food in the mouth) increases the risk of
choking and aspiration. Providing oral hygiene after meals helps remove
residual food from the mouth and prompts the client to swallow. This is a
standard safety intervention for clients with Alzheimer's disease.
2. What is the purpose of the AIMS test?
,A. It identifies the severity of a seizure or tardive dyskinesia.
B. It assesses the client's level of anxiety.
C. It evaluates the client's cognitive function.
D. It measures the client's blood glucose levels.
A. It identifies the severity of a seizure or tardive dyskinesia.
Rationale: The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) is used to
assess and monitor involuntary movements, particularly tardive dyskinesia,
which can occur with long-term antipsychotic use. It is not used to assess
seizures, anxiety, cognition, or blood glucose.
3. A 51-year-old male patient diagnosed with Major Depression has been
isolating in his room since admission three days ago. A group that focuses
on feelings is about to begin. The psychiatric technician enters the patient's
room and states:
A. "I'm going to escort you to the Feelings Group that is starting soon."
B. "You should come to group; it will be good for you."
C. "Do you want to come to group or stay in your room?"
D. "Why are you isolating in your room?"
A. "I'm going to escort you to the Feelings Group that is starting soon."
Rationale: This statement is direct, supportive, and sets clear expectations
without giving the patient the option to refuse. It encourages participation in
therapeutic activities, which is important for patients with depression who
may be isolating.
4. When does stuttering typically first appear?
A. Preschool years
B. Adolescence
,C. Infancy
D. Adulthood
A. Preschool years
Rationale: Stuttering typically first appears during the preschool years,
most commonly between ages 2 and 5. Early intervention is important for
improving fluency outcomes.
5. Most cases of stuttering are caused by:
A. Genetic and neurological factors
B. Poor parenting
C. Emotional trauma
D. Hearing loss
A. Genetic and neurological factors
Rationale: Most cases of stuttering are caused by a combination of genetic
and neurological factors. It is not caused by poor parenting, emotional
trauma, or hearing loss, although these may exacerbate the condition.
6. A client with Alzheimer's disease is experiencing difficulty with activities
of daily living (ADLs). Which intervention should the psychiatric technician
implement first?
A. Break tasks into small, simple steps.
B. Perform all ADLs for the client.
C. Restrict the client's independence.
D. Increase the complexity of tasks.
A. Break tasks into small, simple steps.
, Rationale: Breaking tasks into small, simple steps helps clients with
Alzheimer's maintain independence and reduces frustration. Performing all
ADLs for the client promotes dependency and decreases self-esteem.
7. A client with Alzheimer's disease becomes agitated in the evening. This
behavior is known as:
A. Sundowning
B. Wandering
C. Confabulation
D. Perseveration
A. Sundowning
Rationale: Sundowning is a term used to describe increased agitation,
confusion, and disorientation that occurs in the late afternoon and evening
in clients with Alzheimer's disease. It is thought to be related to fatigue,
decreased lighting, and disruption of circadian rhythms.
8. A client with Alzheimer's disease repeatedly asks where their deceased
spouse is. What is the most appropriate response by the psychiatric
technician?
A. "Your spouse died several years ago. Let's look at photos together."
B. "Your spouse is on their way."
C. "I don't know where your spouse is."
D. "You need to accept that your spouse is gone."
A. "Your spouse died several years ago. Let's look at photos together."
Rationale: Clients with Alzheimer's disease may not remember that a loved
one has died. Redirecting the conversation to a pleasant activity (like
This Psychiatric State Board Exam Questions with Answers (2025/2026) test
bank offers unique multiple-choice questions with verified answers and detailed
rationales. It covers Alzheimer's disease, psychiatric medications, therapeutic
communication, crisis intervention, child and adolescent psychiatry, geriatric
psychiatry, legal and ethical issues, and psychiatric emergencies. Ideal for
psychiatric technicians, nursing students, and healthcare professionals preparing
for state board certification exams
Section 1: Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Care (Questions 1–30)
1. To prevent an elderly client with Alzheimer's disease from choking on food
that remains in the mouth after a meal ("squirrelling food"), what should the
psychiatric technician do?
A. Provide oral hygiene to the client.
B. Encourage the client to drink more water.
C. Administer a chewable aspirin.
D. Restrict the client's diet to liquids only.
A. Provide oral hygiene to the client.
Rationale: Squirrelling food (holding food in the mouth) increases the risk of
choking and aspiration. Providing oral hygiene after meals helps remove
residual food from the mouth and prompts the client to swallow. This is a
standard safety intervention for clients with Alzheimer's disease.
2. What is the purpose of the AIMS test?
,A. It identifies the severity of a seizure or tardive dyskinesia.
B. It assesses the client's level of anxiety.
C. It evaluates the client's cognitive function.
D. It measures the client's blood glucose levels.
A. It identifies the severity of a seizure or tardive dyskinesia.
Rationale: The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) is used to
assess and monitor involuntary movements, particularly tardive dyskinesia,
which can occur with long-term antipsychotic use. It is not used to assess
seizures, anxiety, cognition, or blood glucose.
3. A 51-year-old male patient diagnosed with Major Depression has been
isolating in his room since admission three days ago. A group that focuses
on feelings is about to begin. The psychiatric technician enters the patient's
room and states:
A. "I'm going to escort you to the Feelings Group that is starting soon."
B. "You should come to group; it will be good for you."
C. "Do you want to come to group or stay in your room?"
D. "Why are you isolating in your room?"
A. "I'm going to escort you to the Feelings Group that is starting soon."
Rationale: This statement is direct, supportive, and sets clear expectations
without giving the patient the option to refuse. It encourages participation in
therapeutic activities, which is important for patients with depression who
may be isolating.
4. When does stuttering typically first appear?
A. Preschool years
B. Adolescence
,C. Infancy
D. Adulthood
A. Preschool years
Rationale: Stuttering typically first appears during the preschool years,
most commonly between ages 2 and 5. Early intervention is important for
improving fluency outcomes.
5. Most cases of stuttering are caused by:
A. Genetic and neurological factors
B. Poor parenting
C. Emotional trauma
D. Hearing loss
A. Genetic and neurological factors
Rationale: Most cases of stuttering are caused by a combination of genetic
and neurological factors. It is not caused by poor parenting, emotional
trauma, or hearing loss, although these may exacerbate the condition.
6. A client with Alzheimer's disease is experiencing difficulty with activities
of daily living (ADLs). Which intervention should the psychiatric technician
implement first?
A. Break tasks into small, simple steps.
B. Perform all ADLs for the client.
C. Restrict the client's independence.
D. Increase the complexity of tasks.
A. Break tasks into small, simple steps.
, Rationale: Breaking tasks into small, simple steps helps clients with
Alzheimer's maintain independence and reduces frustration. Performing all
ADLs for the client promotes dependency and decreases self-esteem.
7. A client with Alzheimer's disease becomes agitated in the evening. This
behavior is known as:
A. Sundowning
B. Wandering
C. Confabulation
D. Perseveration
A. Sundowning
Rationale: Sundowning is a term used to describe increased agitation,
confusion, and disorientation that occurs in the late afternoon and evening
in clients with Alzheimer's disease. It is thought to be related to fatigue,
decreased lighting, and disruption of circadian rhythms.
8. A client with Alzheimer's disease repeatedly asks where their deceased
spouse is. What is the most appropriate response by the psychiatric
technician?
A. "Your spouse died several years ago. Let's look at photos together."
B. "Your spouse is on their way."
C. "I don't know where your spouse is."
D. "You need to accept that your spouse is gone."
A. "Your spouse died several years ago. Let's look at photos together."
Rationale: Clients with Alzheimer's disease may not remember that a loved
one has died. Redirecting the conversation to a pleasant activity (like
