ATI Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders And Psychosis Final Exam Questions And
Answers Practice Questions with Solutions Newest 2026 2027 | Already Graded
A
Question 1
A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, “The FBI is poisoning the water in my
bathroom sink.” Which term best describes this statement?
A) Auditory hallucination
B) Delusion of persecution
C) Thought broadcasting
D) Idea of reference
Answer: B) Delusion of persecution
Rationale: A delusion of persecution involves a fixed false belief that one is being
harmed, harassed, or conspired against. The FBI poisoning the water is a classic
example.
Question 2
A client says, “The voices are telling me I’m no good.” The nurse’s best response
is:
A) “I don’t hear any voices.”
B) “Try to ignore them.”
,C) “That must be frightening. I’ll stay with you.”
D) “When did you start hearing voices?”
Answer: C) “That must be frightening. I’ll stay with you.”
Rationale: Acknowledge the client’s feelings without reinforcing the hallucination.
Offering presence provides safety and validation.
Question 3
A client diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder exhibits manic symptoms and
auditory hallucinations. Which medication class is most appropriate?
A) Antidepressant alone
B) Mood stabilizer + antipsychotic
C) Benzodiazepine alone
D) Anticholinergic
Answer: B) Mood stabilizer + antipsychotic
Rationale: Schizoaffective disorder requires treatment for both mood and
psychotic symptoms. An antipsychotic plus a mood stabilizer (e.g., lithium or
valproate) is standard.
,Question 4
A client taking clozapine reports sore throat, fever, and malaise. The nurse should
first:
A) Give acetaminophen and encourage fluids
B) Obtain a complete blood count (CBC)
C) Administer an antibiotic
D) Reassure the client it’s a viral infection
Answer: B) Obtain a complete blood count (CBC)
Rationale: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis. Fever and sore throat are early
signs; a CBC is essential to check absolute neutrophil count (ANC).
Question 5
Which negative symptom of schizophrenia is most closely related to lack of
motivation?
A) Anhedonia
B) Alogia
C) Avolition
D) Affective blunting
, Answer: C) Avolition
Rationale: Avolition is reduced initiation of goal-directed activities (lack of
motivation). Anhedonia is inability to feel pleasure; alogia is reduced speech;
affective blunting is reduced emotional expression.
Question 6
A client with schizophrenia is pacing and muttering, “They are coming for me.”
The nurse assesses:
A) Ideas of reference
B) Command hallucination
C) Psychomotor agitation
D) Catatonia
Answer: C) Psychomotor agitation
Rationale: Pacing and muttering indicate increased motor activity associated with
agitation and possible impending aggression.
Question 7
A client on haloperidol develops a stiff neck, fever, and confusion. What is the
priority intervention?
Answers Practice Questions with Solutions Newest 2026 2027 | Already Graded
A
Question 1
A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, “The FBI is poisoning the water in my
bathroom sink.” Which term best describes this statement?
A) Auditory hallucination
B) Delusion of persecution
C) Thought broadcasting
D) Idea of reference
Answer: B) Delusion of persecution
Rationale: A delusion of persecution involves a fixed false belief that one is being
harmed, harassed, or conspired against. The FBI poisoning the water is a classic
example.
Question 2
A client says, “The voices are telling me I’m no good.” The nurse’s best response
is:
A) “I don’t hear any voices.”
B) “Try to ignore them.”
,C) “That must be frightening. I’ll stay with you.”
D) “When did you start hearing voices?”
Answer: C) “That must be frightening. I’ll stay with you.”
Rationale: Acknowledge the client’s feelings without reinforcing the hallucination.
Offering presence provides safety and validation.
Question 3
A client diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder exhibits manic symptoms and
auditory hallucinations. Which medication class is most appropriate?
A) Antidepressant alone
B) Mood stabilizer + antipsychotic
C) Benzodiazepine alone
D) Anticholinergic
Answer: B) Mood stabilizer + antipsychotic
Rationale: Schizoaffective disorder requires treatment for both mood and
psychotic symptoms. An antipsychotic plus a mood stabilizer (e.g., lithium or
valproate) is standard.
,Question 4
A client taking clozapine reports sore throat, fever, and malaise. The nurse should
first:
A) Give acetaminophen and encourage fluids
B) Obtain a complete blood count (CBC)
C) Administer an antibiotic
D) Reassure the client it’s a viral infection
Answer: B) Obtain a complete blood count (CBC)
Rationale: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis. Fever and sore throat are early
signs; a CBC is essential to check absolute neutrophil count (ANC).
Question 5
Which negative symptom of schizophrenia is most closely related to lack of
motivation?
A) Anhedonia
B) Alogia
C) Avolition
D) Affective blunting
, Answer: C) Avolition
Rationale: Avolition is reduced initiation of goal-directed activities (lack of
motivation). Anhedonia is inability to feel pleasure; alogia is reduced speech;
affective blunting is reduced emotional expression.
Question 6
A client with schizophrenia is pacing and muttering, “They are coming for me.”
The nurse assesses:
A) Ideas of reference
B) Command hallucination
C) Psychomotor agitation
D) Catatonia
Answer: C) Psychomotor agitation
Rationale: Pacing and muttering indicate increased motor activity associated with
agitation and possible impending aggression.
Question 7
A client on haloperidol develops a stiff neck, fever, and confusion. What is the
priority intervention?
