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CA PT Board Exam Review -
Psychiatric Nursing 2026| High
Quality Questions And Comprehensive
Answers
A client on the unit has a diagnosis of paranoid-type schizophrenia. The new
mental health care worker on this unit approaches the psychiatric technician and
asks about the best way to work with this client. The psychiatric technician
replies:
a. "Avoid touching this client and invading personal space."
b. "Offer back rubs at bedtime to decrease the client's anxiety."
c. "Greet this client with a firm handshake."
d. "Place your hand on the client very softly when you speak to him." - correct-
answer-a. "Avoid touching this client and invading personal space."
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Your client has Alzheimer's disease and, during the night after his admission is
found in the hallway trying to open the door to the fire escape. Which of the
following responses by the psychiatric technician would indicate the most
accurate assessment o
a. "You look confused. Come to the nurses desk and talk to me."
b. "This door leads to the fire escape. Why do you want to go outside now?"
c. "Something seems to be bothering you. Let's go back to your room and talk
about it."
d. "This fire escape leads outside. It would be unsafe to go out there alone. May I
help you find your way back to your room or the bathroom?" - correct-answer-d.
"This fire escape leads outside. It would be unsafe to go out there alone. May I
help you find your way back to your room or the bathroom?"
An 85-year-old female who is confused, malnourished, dehydrated, and is
reluctant to explain how a fall at home happened. The client's 62-year-old
daughter frequently interrupts the interview. Which of the following
interventions is a priority?
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a. Take the history from the daughter because the client is confused.
b. Provide the daughter with nutritional teaching.
c. Request a psychiatric evaluation for the client.
d. Interview the client alone first and assess for abuse. - correct-answer-d.
Interview the client alone first and assess for abuse.
A client stated that she had been brutally raped by her date. She had bruises and
lacerations over all areas of the body and severe anxiety. The priority intervention
for her would be:
a. Communicating, "I'm very sorry this happened to you. You are safe here."
b. Providing referral information for further use
c. Helping her see that aggressive behavior is a part of her culture and social
structure and that violence is a way of solving problems
d. Identifying if she has any anger or guilt - correct-answer-a. Communicating,
"I'm very sorry this happened to you. You are safe here."
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A client is becoming more confused and disoriented. The psychiatric technician is
told that the client has been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The
psychiatric technician should know that the characteristics of this disease are:
a. Gradual and progressive loss of cognitive abilities
b. Transient ischemic attacks
c. Good judgment
d. Rapid loss of thinking and problem-solving ability - correct-answer-a. Gradual
and progressive loss of cognitive abilities
A female comes to the crisis center with a broken wrist and severe bruises from a
beating by her husband. She states that she does not want to leave the
relationship at this time. The most appropriate response by the nurse is:
a. "You need to leave the relationship. "
b. "I will call a lawyer for you."
c. "Let's develop a safety plan for repeated violence."
CA PT Board Exam Review -
Psychiatric Nursing 2026| High
Quality Questions And Comprehensive
Answers
A client on the unit has a diagnosis of paranoid-type schizophrenia. The new
mental health care worker on this unit approaches the psychiatric technician and
asks about the best way to work with this client. The psychiatric technician
replies:
a. "Avoid touching this client and invading personal space."
b. "Offer back rubs at bedtime to decrease the client's anxiety."
c. "Greet this client with a firm handshake."
d. "Place your hand on the client very softly when you speak to him." - correct-
answer-a. "Avoid touching this client and invading personal space."
,2|Page
Your client has Alzheimer's disease and, during the night after his admission is
found in the hallway trying to open the door to the fire escape. Which of the
following responses by the psychiatric technician would indicate the most
accurate assessment o
a. "You look confused. Come to the nurses desk and talk to me."
b. "This door leads to the fire escape. Why do you want to go outside now?"
c. "Something seems to be bothering you. Let's go back to your room and talk
about it."
d. "This fire escape leads outside. It would be unsafe to go out there alone. May I
help you find your way back to your room or the bathroom?" - correct-answer-d.
"This fire escape leads outside. It would be unsafe to go out there alone. May I
help you find your way back to your room or the bathroom?"
An 85-year-old female who is confused, malnourished, dehydrated, and is
reluctant to explain how a fall at home happened. The client's 62-year-old
daughter frequently interrupts the interview. Which of the following
interventions is a priority?
,3|Page
a. Take the history from the daughter because the client is confused.
b. Provide the daughter with nutritional teaching.
c. Request a psychiatric evaluation for the client.
d. Interview the client alone first and assess for abuse. - correct-answer-d.
Interview the client alone first and assess for abuse.
A client stated that she had been brutally raped by her date. She had bruises and
lacerations over all areas of the body and severe anxiety. The priority intervention
for her would be:
a. Communicating, "I'm very sorry this happened to you. You are safe here."
b. Providing referral information for further use
c. Helping her see that aggressive behavior is a part of her culture and social
structure and that violence is a way of solving problems
d. Identifying if she has any anger or guilt - correct-answer-a. Communicating,
"I'm very sorry this happened to you. You are safe here."
, 4|Page
A client is becoming more confused and disoriented. The psychiatric technician is
told that the client has been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The
psychiatric technician should know that the characteristics of this disease are:
a. Gradual and progressive loss of cognitive abilities
b. Transient ischemic attacks
c. Good judgment
d. Rapid loss of thinking and problem-solving ability - correct-answer-a. Gradual
and progressive loss of cognitive abilities
A female comes to the crisis center with a broken wrist and severe bruises from a
beating by her husband. She states that she does not want to leave the
relationship at this time. The most appropriate response by the nurse is:
a. "You need to leave the relationship. "
b. "I will call a lawyer for you."
c. "Let's develop a safety plan for repeated violence."
