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PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN BASIC NURSING AND
MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING BOARD EXAM NEWEST
2026 EXAM QUESTIONS LATEST VERSION SOLVED
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED
Questions
1. The most effective nursing strategy to prevent infection would be to:
A. Use surgical asepsis when changing dressings.
B. Provide a fluid intake of 2,000 to 3,000 ml./day unless contraindicated.
C. Wash hands before and after any direct client contact.
D. Place soiled materials in moisture-resistant containers for appropriate
disposal.
C. Wash hands before and after any direct client contact.
Rationale: Hand hygiene is a critical and effective measure to prevent the
transmission of infections. By washing hands before and after any direct client
contact, nurses can minimize the risk of spreading pathogens between clients and
reduce the likelihood of healthcare-associated infections.
2. The highest achievable total score in the Apgar scoring system for newborn
babies is:
A. 8.
B. 10.
C. 12.
D. 15.
B. 10.
Rationale: The Apgar scoring system is a method used to quickly assess the
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physical condition of a newborn immediately after birth. It evaluates five vital signs:
heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex irritability, and color. Each sign is
scored from 0 to 2, and the scores are then added up. The highest achievable total
score in the Apgar scoring system is 10, indicating that the newborn is in the best
possible condition at that moment.
3. The physician needs to know the oral temperature of a client. The client
recently smoked a cigarette. The psychiatric technician would wait how many
minutes before taking the client's oral temperature?
A. 5 minutes
B. 15 minutes
C. 30 minutes
D. 60 minutes
B. 15 minutes.
Rationale: Smoking a cigarette can temporarily elevate the oral temperature due to
the heat from the smoke and the local irritation in the oral cavity. To obtain an
accurate oral temperature reading, it is recommended to wait at least 15 minutes
after smoking before taking the temperature. This allows the temperature to return to
baseline and ensures a more accurate reading.
4. The physician now needs a pedal pulse from the same client. The
psychiatric technician knows this pulse site is being used:
A. To determine discrepancies with the radial pulse.
B. In conjunction with some medications.
C. To determine circulation to the foot.
D. To determine circulation to the lower leg.
C. To determine circulation to the foot.
Rationale: The pedal pulse is located on the dorsum (top) of the foot. It is used to
assess circulation to the foot. By palpating the pedal pulse, healthcare professionals
can evaluate the adequacy of blood flow to the foot and detect any abnormalities or
discrepancies in peripheral circulation.
5. The psychiatric technician is assigned to administer medication for the A.M.
shift.
On Mrs. Smith's medication administration record it states that one medication
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is to be given
"p.c." The psychiatric technician would administer this medication:
A. In the morning.
B. Before meals.
C. During meals.
D. After meals.
D. After meals.
When a medication is prescribed to be given "p.c.," it means that it should be
administered after the patient has finished eating their meal. This timing is typically
recommended to ensure that the medication is taken with food or immediately after
food consumption. It helps to minimize potential stomach upset or side effects that
some medications may cause when taken on an empty stomach. Administering the
medication after meals allows for better absorption and reduces the likelihood of
gastrointestinal discomfort.
6. The client is to be given Demerol and Vistaril IM. The psychiatric technician
would inject the
needle at what angle?
A. 15 degrees
B. 45 degrees
C. 90 degrees
D. 120 degrees
C. 90 degrees
Rationale: When administering an intramuscular (IM) injection, the needle is typically
injected at a 90-degree angle. This ensures that the medication is delivered into the
muscle tissue, allowing for proper absorption and distribution in the body.
7. A diagnosis of hypertension would not be made unless the client has
abnormally high blood pressure for at least two consecutive visits at the
physician's office. The criteria that is used to determine hypertension is:
A. Over 110 mm Hg systolic and/or 70 mm Hg diastolic.
B. Over 130 mm Hg systolic and/or 80 mm Hg diastolic.
C. Over 140 mm Hg systolic and/or 90 mm Hg diastolic.
D. Over 160 mm Hg systolic and/or 100 mm Hg diastolic.
PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN BASIC NURSING AND
MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING BOARD EXAM NEWEST
2026 EXAM QUESTIONS LATEST VERSION SOLVED
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED
Questions
1. The most effective nursing strategy to prevent infection would be to:
A. Use surgical asepsis when changing dressings.
B. Provide a fluid intake of 2,000 to 3,000 ml./day unless contraindicated.
C. Wash hands before and after any direct client contact.
D. Place soiled materials in moisture-resistant containers for appropriate
disposal.
C. Wash hands before and after any direct client contact.
Rationale: Hand hygiene is a critical and effective measure to prevent the
transmission of infections. By washing hands before and after any direct client
contact, nurses can minimize the risk of spreading pathogens between clients and
reduce the likelihood of healthcare-associated infections.
2. The highest achievable total score in the Apgar scoring system for newborn
babies is:
A. 8.
B. 10.
C. 12.
D. 15.
B. 10.
Rationale: The Apgar scoring system is a method used to quickly assess the
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physical condition of a newborn immediately after birth. It evaluates five vital signs:
heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex irritability, and color. Each sign is
scored from 0 to 2, and the scores are then added up. The highest achievable total
score in the Apgar scoring system is 10, indicating that the newborn is in the best
possible condition at that moment.
3. The physician needs to know the oral temperature of a client. The client
recently smoked a cigarette. The psychiatric technician would wait how many
minutes before taking the client's oral temperature?
A. 5 minutes
B. 15 minutes
C. 30 minutes
D. 60 minutes
B. 15 minutes.
Rationale: Smoking a cigarette can temporarily elevate the oral temperature due to
the heat from the smoke and the local irritation in the oral cavity. To obtain an
accurate oral temperature reading, it is recommended to wait at least 15 minutes
after smoking before taking the temperature. This allows the temperature to return to
baseline and ensures a more accurate reading.
4. The physician now needs a pedal pulse from the same client. The
psychiatric technician knows this pulse site is being used:
A. To determine discrepancies with the radial pulse.
B. In conjunction with some medications.
C. To determine circulation to the foot.
D. To determine circulation to the lower leg.
C. To determine circulation to the foot.
Rationale: The pedal pulse is located on the dorsum (top) of the foot. It is used to
assess circulation to the foot. By palpating the pedal pulse, healthcare professionals
can evaluate the adequacy of blood flow to the foot and detect any abnormalities or
discrepancies in peripheral circulation.
5. The psychiatric technician is assigned to administer medication for the A.M.
shift.
On Mrs. Smith's medication administration record it states that one medication
, Page 3 of 29
is to be given
"p.c." The psychiatric technician would administer this medication:
A. In the morning.
B. Before meals.
C. During meals.
D. After meals.
D. After meals.
When a medication is prescribed to be given "p.c.," it means that it should be
administered after the patient has finished eating their meal. This timing is typically
recommended to ensure that the medication is taken with food or immediately after
food consumption. It helps to minimize potential stomach upset or side effects that
some medications may cause when taken on an empty stomach. Administering the
medication after meals allows for better absorption and reduces the likelihood of
gastrointestinal discomfort.
6. The client is to be given Demerol and Vistaril IM. The psychiatric technician
would inject the
needle at what angle?
A. 15 degrees
B. 45 degrees
C. 90 degrees
D. 120 degrees
C. 90 degrees
Rationale: When administering an intramuscular (IM) injection, the needle is typically
injected at a 90-degree angle. This ensures that the medication is delivered into the
muscle tissue, allowing for proper absorption and distribution in the body.
7. A diagnosis of hypertension would not be made unless the client has
abnormally high blood pressure for at least two consecutive visits at the
physician's office. The criteria that is used to determine hypertension is:
A. Over 110 mm Hg systolic and/or 70 mm Hg diastolic.
B. Over 130 mm Hg systolic and/or 80 mm Hg diastolic.
C. Over 140 mm Hg systolic and/or 90 mm Hg diastolic.
D. Over 160 mm Hg systolic and/or 100 mm Hg diastolic.
