Observation and Patient Monitoring Flashcards
7 cards from real PTC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Observation and Patient Monitoring flashcards as text
A patient with a history of falls is ambulating on the unit. Which observation would MOST indicate an immediate fall risk?
Answer: Patient appears unsteady, grabs the wall, and shuffles feet
Unsteady gait, reaching for support, and shuffling feet are immediate signs of a high fall risk requiring the technician to stay close and alert the nurse for a fall reassessment.
A psychiatric technician is assigned to monitor a patient for neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Which set of findings should trigger an emergency response?
Answer: High fever, severe muscle rigidity, altered consciousness, and autonomic instability
NMS is a rare but life-threatening reaction to antipsychotics characterized by hyperthermia, severe muscle rigidity, altered consciousness, and autonomic instability requiring immediate medical intervention.
A psychiatric technician on the night shift observes a patient attempting to tie sheets together near the window. The technician's IMMEDIATE priority is:
Answer: Remove the sheets and immediately notify the nurse
Removing potential ligature material and immediately notifying the nurse addresses the immediate safety threat while ensuring the clinical team can intervene with appropriate care.
When documenting patient observations, which entry BEST reflects objective, legally defensible documentation?
Answer: 'Patient stated 'I want to die,' paced for 20 minutes, and refused medications at 1400.'
Quoting the patient's exact words and describing specific observable behaviors with timestamps constitutes objective, factual documentation that is legally defensible.
A patient on a 72-hour hold asks the psychiatric technician, 'Am I allowed to leave?' The BEST response is:
Answer: 'Your status means you are being held for evaluation; please speak with your nurse or doctor about your rights.'
This response is accurate, non-confrontational, and appropriately directs the patient to the clinical staff who can explain their legal rights and hold status in detail.
Which change in a monitored patient's behavior warrants the MOST urgent report to the nurse?
Answer: Patient who was previously suicidal suddenly appears calm and reports feeling 'at peace'
A sudden calmness and sense of 'peace' in a previously suicidal patient can indicate they have made a decision to act on suicidal impulses, which is a high-risk warning sign requiring immediate clinical review.
A psychiatric technician conducting milieu monitoring notices two patients arguing loudly in the dayroom. The BEST initial intervention is:
Answer: Calmly approach and verbally redirect both patients to separate areas
A calm verbal redirection to separate areas is the least restrictive de-escalation strategy that addresses the conflict while maintaining milieu safety without unnecessary physical intervention.