The Psychiatric Technician is helping to determine if a 78 year-old client can continue to live at home alone. When he asks the client, 'What would you do if you dropped and broke a glass on the floor?', he is testing which of the following?

The Psychiatric Technician is helping to determine if a 78 year-old client can continue to live at home alone. When he asks the client, 'What would you do if you dropped and broke a glass on the floor?', he is testing which of the following?

• A. Judgment
• B. Abstract thinking
• C. Orientation
• D. Concrete thinking

Answer: (A)

This item assesses judgment—the ability to assess a hazard and choose a safe, appropriate course of action. If someone drops and breaks a glass, a person with good judgment would describe steps to minimize danger and prevent injury, such as avoiding handling broken glass with bare hands, securing the area, using a broom and dustpan to collect shards, placing the pieces in a sturdy container, checking for tiny splinters, and seeking help if necessary. This shows the person can foresee potential consequences and plan a safe response, which is crucial for someone living at home alone. It isn’t about knowing who/where/when (orientation), understanding abstract ideas (abstract thinking), or thinking only in literal, concrete terms without planning (concrete thinking).

This item assesses judgment—the ability to assess a hazard and choose a safe, appropriate course of action. If someone drops and breaks a glass, a person with good judgment would describe steps to minimize danger and prevent injury, such as avoiding handling broken glass with bare hands, securing the area, using a broom and dustpan to collect shards, placing the pieces in a sturdy container, checking for tiny splinters, and seeking help if necessary. This shows the person can foresee potential consequences and plan a safe response, which is crucial for someone living at home alone. It isn’t about knowing who/where/when (orientation), understanding abstract ideas (abstract thinking), or thinking only in literal, concrete terms without planning (concrete thinking).