PTC Observation and Patient Monitoring 2

Question 1

A psychiatric technician observes a patient exhibiting pressured speech, decreased need for sleep, and grandiose statements over the past 24 hours. This cluster of symptoms MOST likely indicates:

Accepted Answer

Emerging manic episode

Answer

Worsening depressive episode

Answer

Onset of psychotic break unrelated to mood

Answer

Anticholinergic side effects

Question 2

Which vital sign change in a patient taking clozapine (Clozaril) should be reported to the nurse IMMEDIATELY?

Accepted Answer

Heart rate of 105 beats per minute with fever and sore throat

Answer

Blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg

Answer

Respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute

Answer

Temperature of 98.9°F (37.2°C)

Question 3

A psychiatric technician is monitoring a patient in seclusion. The minimum frequency for checking on the patient per Joint Commission standards is:

Accepted Answer

Every 15 minutes

Answer

Every 60 minutes

Answer

Every 30 minutes

Answer

Every 5 minutes

Question 4

When observing a patient for extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), a psychiatric technician should monitor for all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Sudden onset of polyuria and polydipsia

Answer

Shuffling gait and mask-like facial expression

Answer

Muscle spasms or abnormal posturing

Answer

Inability to sit still and internal sense of restlessness

Question 5

A patient on elopement precautions is missing from the unit. The FIRST action the psychiatric technician should take is:

Accepted Answer

Notify the charge nurse and initiate the facility's elopement protocol

Answer

Search the unit and common areas immediately without notifying anyone

Answer

Call the patient's family to ask if they have been contacted

Answer

Document the disappearance and wait 30 minutes before escalating

Question 6

A psychiatric technician documents 'Patient appears sad' in the observation record. This documentation is BEST described as:

Accepted Answer

Subjective because 'sad' is an interpretation, not a behavioral observation

Answer

Objective because it describes observable behavior

Answer

Appropriate clinical language for psychiatric settings

Answer

Complete and sufficient for medicolegal documentation

Question 7

Which patient behavior during monitoring should a psychiatric technician recognize as a potential precursor to aggressive behavior?

Accepted Answer

Pacing, clenching fists, and making verbal threats

Answer

Quietly reading a book in the dayroom

Answer

Sleeping more than usual during the day

Answer

Requesting extra snacks from the staff