Psychiatric Technician Practice Exam

During an emergency, how should a psychiatric technician assess a patient with heightened anxiety?

1. By observing their social interactions

2. By examining their medical history

3. By assessing their breathing patterns

4. By asking about their daily routine

The correct answer is: By assessing their breathing patterns

Assessing a patient’s breathing patterns during an emergency is crucial, particularly for someone experiencing heightened anxiety. Anxiety often triggers physical symptoms, including changes in respiration. Patients may exhibit rapid or shallow breathing, and this can significantly impact their overall emotional state and perceived level of distress. Understanding the breathing patterns can help the psychiatric technician gauge the severity of the anxiety being experienced and guide appropriate interventions, such as implementing calming techniques or providing reassurance. Additionally, assessing breathing patterns can quickly indicate if the patient is experiencing a panic attack, which may require immediate intervention. Monitoring these physiological responses offers valuable insight into the patient’s current status and can inform immediate care decisions to alleviate their anxiety and promote safety. Observing social interactions, examining medical history, or asking about daily routines may provide helpful context but do not directly address the immediate physical manifestation of anxiety and are less useful in a crisis situation focused on acute symptom management.