PTC Observation and Patient Monitoring

Question 1

A psychiatric technician is assigned to conduct 15-minute safety checks on a patient at risk for self-harm. What is the MOST important action during each check?

Accepted Answer

Document the patient's location and observed behavior

Answer

Ask the patient how they are feeling verbally

Answer

Check that the patient's restraints are intact

Answer

Review the patient's medication administration record

Question 2

Which observation level requires a psychiatric technician to remain within arm's reach of the patient at all times?

Accepted Answer

One-to-one observation

Answer

Every-15-minute checks

Answer

Line-of-sight observation

Answer

General milieu monitoring

Question 3

A patient on constant observation suddenly moves toward the bathroom and attempts to close the door. The psychiatric technician should:

Accepted Answer

Accompany the patient into the bathroom per the observation protocol

Answer

Allow privacy and wait outside the door for 2 minutes

Answer

Call a code and wait for additional staff before entering

Answer

Document the behavior and notify the charge nurse after the fact

Question 4

When monitoring a patient for signs of a medication side effect called akathisia, the psychiatric technician should look for:

Accepted Answer

Restlessness and an inability to remain still

Answer

Excessive sedation and slowed reflexes

Answer

Muscle rigidity and elevated temperature

Answer

Involuntary repetitive facial movements

Question 5

A psychiatric technician notices a patient who was previously calm suddenly becomes withdrawn, stops eating, and gives away personal belongings. These observations MOST likely indicate:

Accepted Answer

Possible suicidal ideation and should be reported immediately

Answer

Medication is working effectively

Answer

Normal adjustment to the inpatient setting

Answer

The patient is preparing for discharge

Question 6

During shift handoff, which information is MOST critical for the oncoming psychiatric technician to receive about a monitored patient?

Accepted Answer

Current observation level, recent behaviors, and any triggers identified

Answer

The patient's insurance coverage and admission date

Answer

The name of the patient's primary care physician

Answer

The patient's dietary preferences and sleep schedule

Question 7

A psychiatric technician observing a patient on Q15 checks notices the patient is sleeping at 2:00 AM. The correct action is to:

Accepted Answer

Visually confirm breathing and document the observation

Answer

Skip the check to avoid disturbing the patient's sleep

Answer

Wake the patient to verify they are not unconscious

Answer

Reduce the frequency of checks to Q30 during sleep hours