Psychiatric Technician Developmental Disabilities Board Exam Questions
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1. 1. 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.: 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.
2. 2. 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.: 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 discs after
he sets the table serves as reinforcement for the less preferred behavior of setting the table.
3. 3. An age-appropriate activity for a 15-year-old male client would be:
A. Putting together a 50-piece puzzle.
B. Playing basketball.
C. Driving an automobile.
D. Playing with blocks.: B. Playing basketball.
, Psychiatric Technician Developmental Disabilities Board Exam Questions
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_hke3l8
Rationale: An age-appropriate activity for a 15-year-old male client should take into account their physical abilities and
interests. Playing basketball is a suitable choice as it promotes physical exercise, coordination, teamwork, and social
interaction. It aligns with the developmental stage of a 15-year-old male and provides an opportunity for both physical
and social development.
4. 4. Mattie is a developmentally disabled client who has an I.Q. of 47. She has
limited speech but does fairly well working in a sheltered workshop. She can
walk by herself to the store that is one block from her home. Mattie's level of
mental retardation is:
A. Profound.
B. Severe.
C. Moderate.
D. Mild.: C. Moderate.
Rationale: The term "mental retardation" is an outdated term that has been replaced with the term "intellectual
disability" in current diagnostic classifications. However, for the purpose of this question, we can provide a rationale
based on the given options. Mattie has an IQ of 47, which falls within the range of moderate intellectual disability. The
severity of intellectual disability is typically categorized based on IQ scores, and individuals with moderate intellectual
disability typically have IQ scores between 35 and 49.
5. 5. Donald is a 21-year-old client who resides at a state developmental center.
He often has seizures even though he is taking anticonvulsant medication.
Nodules are present on his nose and recently it has been discovered that he
has them in his abdomen. The most likely diagnosis for this client is:
A. de Lange's Syndrome.
B. Von Reckinghausen's Disease.
C. Sturge- Weber Disease.
D. Tuberous Sclerosis.: D. Tuberous Sclerosis.
Rationale: The symptoms described, including seizures and the presence of nodules on the nose and abdomen, are
characteristic of Tuberous Sclerosis (TS). TS is a genetic disorder that causes the growth of noncancerous tumors in
various organs, including the brain, kidneys, heart, and skin. Seizures are a common manifestation of TS, and the
presence of nodules (called angiofibromas) on the nose and abdomen is a characteristic sign. Therefore, based on the
symptoms described, Tuberous Sclerosis is the most likely diagnosis for Donald.
, Psychiatric Technician Developmental Disabilities Board Exam Questions
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_hke3l8
6. 6. One physical characteristic of a person born with Down syndrome that is
not found with other developmental disabilities is:
A. Severe mental retardation.
B. A simian line.
C. Unusual facial characteristics.
D. A large head.: B. A simian line
Rationale: The simian line, also known as a single palmar crease, is a physical characteristic that can be observed in
some individuals with Down syndrome. It is characterized by a single horizontal crease across the palm of the hand,
rather than the typical two creases (known as the distal transverse crease and the proximal transverse crease) that most
people have. This feature is considered distinct to Down syndrome and is not commonly found in individuals with other
developmental disabilities.
The presence of a simian line in individuals with Down syndrome can be explained by understanding the underlying
genetic cause of the condition. Down syndrome is caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21, either
in whole or in part. This additional genetic material affects the development of various body systems, including the
formation of the hand and palm.
During fetal development, the palm of the hand typically undergoes a complex process of crease formation, resulting
in the two transverse creases seen in most individuals. However, due to the genetic abnormalities associated with Down
syndrome, this process may be altered, leading to the presence of a single palmar crease or simian line.
7. 7. A fetus does not receive enough oxygen while being delivered and the
result is cerebral palsy. The cause would be referred to as:
A. Prenatal.
B. Postnatal.
C. Perinatal.
D. Pernatal.: C. Perinatal.
The rational for this answer is that the term "perinatal" refers to the period shortly before and after birth. In the given
scenario, when the fetus does not receive enough oxygen during delivery resulting in cerebral palsy, it indicates an
event that occurred during the perinatal period. Prenatal refers to the time before birth, postnatal refers to the time
after birth, and pernatal is not a recognized term.
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_hke3l8
1. 1. 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.: 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.
2. 2. 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.: 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 discs after
he sets the table serves as reinforcement for the less preferred behavior of setting the table.
3. 3. An age-appropriate activity for a 15-year-old male client would be:
A. Putting together a 50-piece puzzle.
B. Playing basketball.
C. Driving an automobile.
D. Playing with blocks.: B. Playing basketball.
, Psychiatric Technician Developmental Disabilities Board Exam Questions
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_hke3l8
Rationale: An age-appropriate activity for a 15-year-old male client should take into account their physical abilities and
interests. Playing basketball is a suitable choice as it promotes physical exercise, coordination, teamwork, and social
interaction. It aligns with the developmental stage of a 15-year-old male and provides an opportunity for both physical
and social development.
4. 4. Mattie is a developmentally disabled client who has an I.Q. of 47. She has
limited speech but does fairly well working in a sheltered workshop. She can
walk by herself to the store that is one block from her home. Mattie's level of
mental retardation is:
A. Profound.
B. Severe.
C. Moderate.
D. Mild.: C. Moderate.
Rationale: The term "mental retardation" is an outdated term that has been replaced with the term "intellectual
disability" in current diagnostic classifications. However, for the purpose of this question, we can provide a rationale
based on the given options. Mattie has an IQ of 47, which falls within the range of moderate intellectual disability. The
severity of intellectual disability is typically categorized based on IQ scores, and individuals with moderate intellectual
disability typically have IQ scores between 35 and 49.
5. 5. Donald is a 21-year-old client who resides at a state developmental center.
He often has seizures even though he is taking anticonvulsant medication.
Nodules are present on his nose and recently it has been discovered that he
has them in his abdomen. The most likely diagnosis for this client is:
A. de Lange's Syndrome.
B. Von Reckinghausen's Disease.
C. Sturge- Weber Disease.
D. Tuberous Sclerosis.: D. Tuberous Sclerosis.
Rationale: The symptoms described, including seizures and the presence of nodules on the nose and abdomen, are
characteristic of Tuberous Sclerosis (TS). TS is a genetic disorder that causes the growth of noncancerous tumors in
various organs, including the brain, kidneys, heart, and skin. Seizures are a common manifestation of TS, and the
presence of nodules (called angiofibromas) on the nose and abdomen is a characteristic sign. Therefore, based on the
symptoms described, Tuberous Sclerosis is the most likely diagnosis for Donald.
, Psychiatric Technician Developmental Disabilities Board Exam Questions
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_hke3l8
6. 6. One physical characteristic of a person born with Down syndrome that is
not found with other developmental disabilities is:
A. Severe mental retardation.
B. A simian line.
C. Unusual facial characteristics.
D. A large head.: B. A simian line
Rationale: The simian line, also known as a single palmar crease, is a physical characteristic that can be observed in
some individuals with Down syndrome. It is characterized by a single horizontal crease across the palm of the hand,
rather than the typical two creases (known as the distal transverse crease and the proximal transverse crease) that most
people have. This feature is considered distinct to Down syndrome and is not commonly found in individuals with other
developmental disabilities.
The presence of a simian line in individuals with Down syndrome can be explained by understanding the underlying
genetic cause of the condition. Down syndrome is caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21, either
in whole or in part. This additional genetic material affects the development of various body systems, including the
formation of the hand and palm.
During fetal development, the palm of the hand typically undergoes a complex process of crease formation, resulting
in the two transverse creases seen in most individuals. However, due to the genetic abnormalities associated with Down
syndrome, this process may be altered, leading to the presence of a single palmar crease or simian line.
7. 7. A fetus does not receive enough oxygen while being delivered and the
result is cerebral palsy. The cause would be referred to as:
A. Prenatal.
B. Postnatal.
C. Perinatal.
D. Pernatal.: C. Perinatal.
The rational for this answer is that the term "perinatal" refers to the period shortly before and after birth. In the given
scenario, when the fetus does not receive enough oxygen during delivery resulting in cerebral palsy, it indicates an
event that occurred during the perinatal period. Prenatal refers to the time before birth, postnatal refers to the time
after birth, and pernatal is not a recognized term.
