SBVC Psychiatric Technician State Board Examination Review
Questions
The most effective nursing strategy to prevent infection would be to - (correct Answer) - wash hands
before and after any direct client contact
The highest achievable total score in the Apgar scoring system for newborn babies is - (correct Answer) -
10
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? -
(correct Answer) - 15 minutes
The physician now needs a pedal pulse from the same client. The psychiatric technician knows this pulse
site is being used - (correct Answer) - to determine circulation to the foot
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 is to be given "p.c." The psychiatric
technician would administer this medication - (correct Answer) - after meals
The client is to be given Demerol and Vistaril IM. The psychiatric technician would inject the needle at
what angle? - (correct Answer) - 90 degrees
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 - (correct Answer) - over 140 mm Hg systolic and/or 90 mm Hg diastolic
A client is having her blood pressure taken by the psychiatric technician. The client asks what does blood
pressure represent. The best response the psychiatric technician would give is - (correct Answer) - "It is a
measure of the pressure exerted by the blood as it pulsates through the arteries"
A client is suffering from osteoporosis - a condition that causes bones to become porous and less dense.
This results in increased susceptibility to fracture and collapse. The physician would order an increased
amount of which foods to help treat this condition? - (correct Answer) - Liver, milk, egg yolks
The bed position in which the client's head and trunk are raised 45 degrees to 90 degrees is referred to
as - (correct Answer) - fowler's position
The prodromal signs/symptoms of AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) are - (correct Answer) -
fatigue, night sweats, intermittent fever, severe diarrhea
A client complains of a lesion on his penis. The physician examines it and sees that it is reddish in color.
The client states that it is painless and that he has been sexually promiscuous. - (correct Answer) -
syphilis
A client is experiencing abnormal breathing which involves very deep to very shallow respirations with
temporary apnea. This type of irregular breathing pattern is referred to as - (correct Answer) - Cheyne-
Stroke's
,Debbie Lawson is a seven years old. Her mother brings her to the family physician because Debbie has a
rash on her body and is running a slight fever. The diagnosis is chickenpox. This childhood disease is
caused by what virus? - (correct Answer) - Herpesvirus
The most common cause of accidental deaths for children that are one year old or less is - (correct
Answer) - Choking
The psychiatric technician is preparing to give the client a bed bath. The temperature of the water should
be between - (correct Answer) - 110-115 F
The client would be bathed in what order? - (correct Answer) - Face, arms, hand, chest and abdomen,
legs and feet, back and perineum
The appropriate toothbrushing technique for clients would consist of - (correct Answer) - using tepid
water, a soft toothbrush and brushing at a 45 degree angle
The client has been complaining that she is having difficulty sleeping the past few months. The physician
has prescribed a low dose of a sedative-hypnotic for a temporary period of time. Client teaching to
promote a regular sleep pattern would include - (correct Answer) - get adequate exercise during the day
and established a regular bedtime
Carol Stevens was brought into the emergency room. She was restless and complained of being thirsty.
The nurse took her vital signs and discovered that Carol had a pulse of 140 and pale looking and when
she touched her hands they were cold and clammy. The most probably medical condition Carol is
suffering from is - (correct Answer) - shock
Mrs. Clark has been a diabetic for ten years. She has been admitted to the hospital for another possible
medical problem. Her doctor prescribes regular insulin for her. The injection was given at 07:00. If Mrs.
Clark has a reaction it will most likely be - (correct Answer) - before lunch
Mrs. Clark would receive her injection of insulin how many minutes before meals? - (correct Answer) - 30
When the psychiatric technician is ready to administer the insulin he/she would remember to - (correct
Answer) - inject the syringe at a 45 or 90 degree angle
A diabetic coma means there is too little insulin or too much sugar. It is usually caused by excessive
eating, infection or illness or skipping an insulin injection. The symptoms of a diabetic coma are - (correct
Answer) - Flushed, dry skin, fruity odor breath, vomiting
When a diabetic person has an insulin reaction the emergency treatment would consist of - (correct
Answer) - drinking fruit juice
Areas of the body that the diabetic person needs to pay close attention to are the - (correct Answer) -
feet, legs, eyes
The normal blood sugar range is - (correct Answer) - 80-120
The clinical signs of wound evisceration are - (correct Answer) - Opening of incision and visible
protrusion of organs
Mr. Kent has been complaining of chest pains for the past few days. The physician decides to keep Mr.
, Kent in the hospital for close observation and to run some tests. To measure the electric impulses from
the heart, Mr. Kent would be given an - (correct Answer) - Electrocardiogram
Mr. Kent was diagnosed as having angina pectoris. His treatment consisted of bed rest, decreasing stress
in his life and taking nitroglycerin. When Mr. Kent experiences chest pain he would take the nitroglycerin
by which of the following routes? - (correct Answer) - sublingual
An elderly woman was admitted to the hospital with symptoms of paralysis, weakness, and aphasia. The
most likely diagnosis would be - (correct Answer) - Cerebrovascular Accident
One of the possible complications of cerebrovascular accident would be - (correct Answer) - pulmonary
embolism
The psychiatric technician would implement which of the following nursing interventions initially for the
problem of aphasia? - (correct Answer) - Provide a chalkboard and chalk for the client to use
The psychiatric technician walks into a client's room and discovers the client lying on the floor. He shakes
the client while calling his name and there is no response. The psychiatric technician then calls for help.
The next procedure the psychiatric technician implements is - (correct Answer) - tilting the head
backward
Which of the following symptoms is indicative of hypothyroidism? - (correct Answer) - Cold intolerance
During cardiopulmonary resuscitation for an infant, the psychiatric technician would check which artery
for a pulse? - (correct Answer) - Brachial
Often a person that has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease will develop a fondness for what type
of food? - (correct Answer) - sweet
Hepatitis B is mainly caused by which of the following factors? - (correct Answer) - Sexual transmission,
blood or body secretions
The psychiatric technician can prevent contracting hepatitis B by - (correct Answer) - Applying the
principle of universal precautions
Carriers of hepatitis B infection have a much higher risk of contracting which of the following medical
conditions? - (correct Answer) - Liver cancer
A female client is to receive a vaginal cream every day for 10 days. An appropriate nursing intervention
the psychiatric technician would implement to decrease discomfort during the treatment would be to -
(correct Answer) - ask the client to void
Mrs. Hathaway has some abdominal complaints. She visits her physician and is diagnosed with irritable
bowel syndrome. Specific symptoms of this medical condition would be - (correct Answer) - Stomach
cramping, excessive gas, and incomplete evacuation of the bowels
Mr.s Hathaway asks her physician about the cure for abdominal complaints. The physician responds with
which of the following statements? - (correct Answer) - "It is a chronic condition that is not life-
threatening."
Possible medications Mrs. Hathaway's physician may prescribe for her abdominal complaints would be
Questions
The most effective nursing strategy to prevent infection would be to - (correct Answer) - wash hands
before and after any direct client contact
The highest achievable total score in the Apgar scoring system for newborn babies is - (correct Answer) -
10
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? -
(correct Answer) - 15 minutes
The physician now needs a pedal pulse from the same client. The psychiatric technician knows this pulse
site is being used - (correct Answer) - to determine circulation to the foot
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 is to be given "p.c." The psychiatric
technician would administer this medication - (correct Answer) - after meals
The client is to be given Demerol and Vistaril IM. The psychiatric technician would inject the needle at
what angle? - (correct Answer) - 90 degrees
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 - (correct Answer) - over 140 mm Hg systolic and/or 90 mm Hg diastolic
A client is having her blood pressure taken by the psychiatric technician. The client asks what does blood
pressure represent. The best response the psychiatric technician would give is - (correct Answer) - "It is a
measure of the pressure exerted by the blood as it pulsates through the arteries"
A client is suffering from osteoporosis - a condition that causes bones to become porous and less dense.
This results in increased susceptibility to fracture and collapse. The physician would order an increased
amount of which foods to help treat this condition? - (correct Answer) - Liver, milk, egg yolks
The bed position in which the client's head and trunk are raised 45 degrees to 90 degrees is referred to
as - (correct Answer) - fowler's position
The prodromal signs/symptoms of AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) are - (correct Answer) -
fatigue, night sweats, intermittent fever, severe diarrhea
A client complains of a lesion on his penis. The physician examines it and sees that it is reddish in color.
The client states that it is painless and that he has been sexually promiscuous. - (correct Answer) -
syphilis
A client is experiencing abnormal breathing which involves very deep to very shallow respirations with
temporary apnea. This type of irregular breathing pattern is referred to as - (correct Answer) - Cheyne-
Stroke's
,Debbie Lawson is a seven years old. Her mother brings her to the family physician because Debbie has a
rash on her body and is running a slight fever. The diagnosis is chickenpox. This childhood disease is
caused by what virus? - (correct Answer) - Herpesvirus
The most common cause of accidental deaths for children that are one year old or less is - (correct
Answer) - Choking
The psychiatric technician is preparing to give the client a bed bath. The temperature of the water should
be between - (correct Answer) - 110-115 F
The client would be bathed in what order? - (correct Answer) - Face, arms, hand, chest and abdomen,
legs and feet, back and perineum
The appropriate toothbrushing technique for clients would consist of - (correct Answer) - using tepid
water, a soft toothbrush and brushing at a 45 degree angle
The client has been complaining that she is having difficulty sleeping the past few months. The physician
has prescribed a low dose of a sedative-hypnotic for a temporary period of time. Client teaching to
promote a regular sleep pattern would include - (correct Answer) - get adequate exercise during the day
and established a regular bedtime
Carol Stevens was brought into the emergency room. She was restless and complained of being thirsty.
The nurse took her vital signs and discovered that Carol had a pulse of 140 and pale looking and when
she touched her hands they were cold and clammy. The most probably medical condition Carol is
suffering from is - (correct Answer) - shock
Mrs. Clark has been a diabetic for ten years. She has been admitted to the hospital for another possible
medical problem. Her doctor prescribes regular insulin for her. The injection was given at 07:00. If Mrs.
Clark has a reaction it will most likely be - (correct Answer) - before lunch
Mrs. Clark would receive her injection of insulin how many minutes before meals? - (correct Answer) - 30
When the psychiatric technician is ready to administer the insulin he/she would remember to - (correct
Answer) - inject the syringe at a 45 or 90 degree angle
A diabetic coma means there is too little insulin or too much sugar. It is usually caused by excessive
eating, infection or illness or skipping an insulin injection. The symptoms of a diabetic coma are - (correct
Answer) - Flushed, dry skin, fruity odor breath, vomiting
When a diabetic person has an insulin reaction the emergency treatment would consist of - (correct
Answer) - drinking fruit juice
Areas of the body that the diabetic person needs to pay close attention to are the - (correct Answer) -
feet, legs, eyes
The normal blood sugar range is - (correct Answer) - 80-120
The clinical signs of wound evisceration are - (correct Answer) - Opening of incision and visible
protrusion of organs
Mr. Kent has been complaining of chest pains for the past few days. The physician decides to keep Mr.
, Kent in the hospital for close observation and to run some tests. To measure the electric impulses from
the heart, Mr. Kent would be given an - (correct Answer) - Electrocardiogram
Mr. Kent was diagnosed as having angina pectoris. His treatment consisted of bed rest, decreasing stress
in his life and taking nitroglycerin. When Mr. Kent experiences chest pain he would take the nitroglycerin
by which of the following routes? - (correct Answer) - sublingual
An elderly woman was admitted to the hospital with symptoms of paralysis, weakness, and aphasia. The
most likely diagnosis would be - (correct Answer) - Cerebrovascular Accident
One of the possible complications of cerebrovascular accident would be - (correct Answer) - pulmonary
embolism
The psychiatric technician would implement which of the following nursing interventions initially for the
problem of aphasia? - (correct Answer) - Provide a chalkboard and chalk for the client to use
The psychiatric technician walks into a client's room and discovers the client lying on the floor. He shakes
the client while calling his name and there is no response. The psychiatric technician then calls for help.
The next procedure the psychiatric technician implements is - (correct Answer) - tilting the head
backward
Which of the following symptoms is indicative of hypothyroidism? - (correct Answer) - Cold intolerance
During cardiopulmonary resuscitation for an infant, the psychiatric technician would check which artery
for a pulse? - (correct Answer) - Brachial
Often a person that has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease will develop a fondness for what type
of food? - (correct Answer) - sweet
Hepatitis B is mainly caused by which of the following factors? - (correct Answer) - Sexual transmission,
blood or body secretions
The psychiatric technician can prevent contracting hepatitis B by - (correct Answer) - Applying the
principle of universal precautions
Carriers of hepatitis B infection have a much higher risk of contracting which of the following medical
conditions? - (correct Answer) - Liver cancer
A female client is to receive a vaginal cream every day for 10 days. An appropriate nursing intervention
the psychiatric technician would implement to decrease discomfort during the treatment would be to -
(correct Answer) - ask the client to void
Mrs. Hathaway has some abdominal complaints. She visits her physician and is diagnosed with irritable
bowel syndrome. Specific symptoms of this medical condition would be - (correct Answer) - Stomach
cramping, excessive gas, and incomplete evacuation of the bowels
Mr.s Hathaway asks her physician about the cure for abdominal complaints. The physician responds with
which of the following statements? - (correct Answer) - "It is a chronic condition that is not life-
threatening."
Possible medications Mrs. Hathaway's physician may prescribe for her abdominal complaints would be
