ATI Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders and
Psychosis: 100 Practice Questions with
Answers and Rationales (2026–2027)
Section 2: Assessment and Diagnosis
21. Which symptom is a classic example of a persecutory delusion?
A. Believing one has exceptional musical talent B. Believing others are conspiring to cause
harm C. Believing television programs contain personal messages D. Believing one's body has
changed shape
Answer: B. A persecutory delusion involves the belief that others intend to harm,
threaten, or mistreat the person.
22. A client states, “My thoughts are being removed from my mind.” Which symptom is
described?
A. Thought withdrawal B. Echopraxia C. Neologism D. Circumstantiality
Answer: A. Thought withdrawal is the belief that thoughts are being taken out of one's
mind by an external force.
23. Which finding is an example of a somatic hallucination?
A. Believing the nurse is secretly recording conversations B. Hearing a voice commenting on
one's actions C. Feeling insects crawling under the skin without an external cause D.
Believing one has a special mission
Answer: C. Somatic hallucinations involve unusual bodily sensations without a
corresponding external stimulus.
24. A client repeats the nurse's words immediately after hearing them. Which symptom is
this?
A. Echolalia B. Echopraxia C. Neologism D. Clang association
Answer: A. Echolalia is the repetition of another person's spoken words.
25. A client invents words that other people cannot understand. Which symptom should the
nurse document?
A. Perseveration B. Neologism C. Flight of ideas D. Mutism
,Answer: B. Neologisms are newly created words or expressions that may be meaningful
only to the person using them.
26. Which statement best describes disorganized speech?
A. Speaking slowly because of fatigue B. Using short sentences because of anxiety C. Moving
between unrelated ideas so that the message is difficult to follow D. Choosing not to speak
during an interview
Answer: C. Disorganized speech reflects impaired organization of thoughts and may
include loose associations or incoherence.
27. A client believes they have extraordinary powers and can control world events. Which
delusion is most likely?
A. Grandiose B. Persecutory C. Somatic D. Nihilistic
Answer: A. Grandiose delusions involve exaggerated beliefs about one's power,
importance, identity, or abilities.
28. Which finding is most consistent with alogia?
A. Excessive movement B. Reduced speech output C. Repetitive facial movements D.
Excessive emotional expression
Answer: B. Alogia is reduced verbal expression and is considered a negative symptom.
29. Which condition can produce psychotic symptoms and must be considered during
assessment?
A. Substance intoxication or withdrawal B. A minor change in clothing preference C. A
preference for solitary hobbies D. Occasional nervousness before an examination
Answer: A. Certain substances, medications, and withdrawal states can cause psychosis
and require appropriate medical assessment.
30. Which statement about schizophrenia is accurate?
A. It is diagnosed whenever a person reports one hallucination. B. It always begins during
childhood. C. It involves a characteristic combination of symptoms, duration, and functional
changes assessed by a qualified clinician. D. It is always caused by substance use.
Answer: C. Diagnosis requires a comprehensive assessment of symptoms, duration,
functioning, and alternative explanations.
Section 3: Therapeutic Communication
31. A client says, “The voices are insulting me.” Which response is best?
, A. “You should stop paying attention.” B. “I don't hear the voices, but I can see that they are
upsetting you.” C. “The voices are probably telling the truth.” D. “You are imagining
everything.”
Answer: B. The nurse acknowledges the distress while maintaining reality-based
communication.
32. A client believes staff members are trying to poison their food. What should the nurse
do?
A. Laugh and explain that the belief is ridiculous. B. Agree that staff members are dangerous.
C. Argue until the client changes their mind. D. Acknowledge the fear, assess the concern,
and offer appropriate reassurance without confirming the delusion.
Answer: D. Calm, nonjudgmental communication supports trust without reinforcing the
false belief.
33. Which approach is best when communicating with a client experiencing disorganized
thinking?
A. Give several complicated instructions at once. B. Speak rapidly to maintain attention. C.
Use brief, clear sentences and allow time for a response. D. Frequently change topics
without explanation.
Answer: C. Simple language and adequate response time help reduce confusion.
34. A client says, “I am frightened because I cannot tell whether these voices are real.” What
is the best response?
A. “That sounds frightening. Can you tell me what you are experiencing right now?” B. “You
must learn to ignore them.” C. “The voices are definitely real.” D. “You should not discuss
this.”
Answer: A. The response acknowledges feelings and invites further assessment.
35. Which statement by the nurse is an example of offering self?
A. “Why do you keep acting this way?” B. “I can sit with you for a while if that would help.”
C. “You should make more friends.” D. “You need to stop being afraid.”
Answer: B. Offering self communicates presence and support without imposing demands.
36. A client repeatedly asks whether the nurse is angry with them. What is the best
response?
A. “You have already asked that question.” B. “Stop worrying about what other people
think.” C. “You seem concerned about how I feel toward you. What is worrying you?” D. “I
will not answer any more questions.”
Psychosis: 100 Practice Questions with
Answers and Rationales (2026–2027)
Section 2: Assessment and Diagnosis
21. Which symptom is a classic example of a persecutory delusion?
A. Believing one has exceptional musical talent B. Believing others are conspiring to cause
harm C. Believing television programs contain personal messages D. Believing one's body has
changed shape
Answer: B. A persecutory delusion involves the belief that others intend to harm,
threaten, or mistreat the person.
22. A client states, “My thoughts are being removed from my mind.” Which symptom is
described?
A. Thought withdrawal B. Echopraxia C. Neologism D. Circumstantiality
Answer: A. Thought withdrawal is the belief that thoughts are being taken out of one's
mind by an external force.
23. Which finding is an example of a somatic hallucination?
A. Believing the nurse is secretly recording conversations B. Hearing a voice commenting on
one's actions C. Feeling insects crawling under the skin without an external cause D.
Believing one has a special mission
Answer: C. Somatic hallucinations involve unusual bodily sensations without a
corresponding external stimulus.
24. A client repeats the nurse's words immediately after hearing them. Which symptom is
this?
A. Echolalia B. Echopraxia C. Neologism D. Clang association
Answer: A. Echolalia is the repetition of another person's spoken words.
25. A client invents words that other people cannot understand. Which symptom should the
nurse document?
A. Perseveration B. Neologism C. Flight of ideas D. Mutism
,Answer: B. Neologisms are newly created words or expressions that may be meaningful
only to the person using them.
26. Which statement best describes disorganized speech?
A. Speaking slowly because of fatigue B. Using short sentences because of anxiety C. Moving
between unrelated ideas so that the message is difficult to follow D. Choosing not to speak
during an interview
Answer: C. Disorganized speech reflects impaired organization of thoughts and may
include loose associations or incoherence.
27. A client believes they have extraordinary powers and can control world events. Which
delusion is most likely?
A. Grandiose B. Persecutory C. Somatic D. Nihilistic
Answer: A. Grandiose delusions involve exaggerated beliefs about one's power,
importance, identity, or abilities.
28. Which finding is most consistent with alogia?
A. Excessive movement B. Reduced speech output C. Repetitive facial movements D.
Excessive emotional expression
Answer: B. Alogia is reduced verbal expression and is considered a negative symptom.
29. Which condition can produce psychotic symptoms and must be considered during
assessment?
A. Substance intoxication or withdrawal B. A minor change in clothing preference C. A
preference for solitary hobbies D. Occasional nervousness before an examination
Answer: A. Certain substances, medications, and withdrawal states can cause psychosis
and require appropriate medical assessment.
30. Which statement about schizophrenia is accurate?
A. It is diagnosed whenever a person reports one hallucination. B. It always begins during
childhood. C. It involves a characteristic combination of symptoms, duration, and functional
changes assessed by a qualified clinician. D. It is always caused by substance use.
Answer: C. Diagnosis requires a comprehensive assessment of symptoms, duration,
functioning, and alternative explanations.
Section 3: Therapeutic Communication
31. A client says, “The voices are insulting me.” Which response is best?
, A. “You should stop paying attention.” B. “I don't hear the voices, but I can see that they are
upsetting you.” C. “The voices are probably telling the truth.” D. “You are imagining
everything.”
Answer: B. The nurse acknowledges the distress while maintaining reality-based
communication.
32. A client believes staff members are trying to poison their food. What should the nurse
do?
A. Laugh and explain that the belief is ridiculous. B. Agree that staff members are dangerous.
C. Argue until the client changes their mind. D. Acknowledge the fear, assess the concern,
and offer appropriate reassurance without confirming the delusion.
Answer: D. Calm, nonjudgmental communication supports trust without reinforcing the
false belief.
33. Which approach is best when communicating with a client experiencing disorganized
thinking?
A. Give several complicated instructions at once. B. Speak rapidly to maintain attention. C.
Use brief, clear sentences and allow time for a response. D. Frequently change topics
without explanation.
Answer: C. Simple language and adequate response time help reduce confusion.
34. A client says, “I am frightened because I cannot tell whether these voices are real.” What
is the best response?
A. “That sounds frightening. Can you tell me what you are experiencing right now?” B. “You
must learn to ignore them.” C. “The voices are definitely real.” D. “You should not discuss
this.”
Answer: A. The response acknowledges feelings and invites further assessment.
35. Which statement by the nurse is an example of offering self?
A. “Why do you keep acting this way?” B. “I can sit with you for a while if that would help.”
C. “You should make more friends.” D. “You need to stop being afraid.”
Answer: B. Offering self communicates presence and support without imposing demands.
36. A client repeatedly asks whether the nurse is angry with them. What is the best
response?
A. “You have already asked that question.” B. “Stop worrying about what other people
think.” C. “You seem concerned about how I feel toward you. What is worrying you?” D. “I
will not answer any more questions.”
