ATI SCHIZOPHRENIA SPECTRUM DISORDERS
AND PSYCHOSIS STUDY GUIDE 2026
ALLQUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES ALREADY A
GRADED |NEW AND REVISED
A nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with
schizophrenia. Which of the following should the nurse identify as a
positive symptom?
a. alogia
b. hallucination
c. avolition
d. anhedonia - ANSWER- b. hallucination
Rational: The nurse should identify hearing things that are not real
can be part of a hallucination. Hallucinations are a positive
symptom of schizophrenia. Other positive symptoms can include
paranoia, and distorted beliefs and perceptions.
A nurse is providing education to a group of staff members about risk
factors for schizophrenia. Which of the following risk factors should the
nurse include?
a. Having a twin sibling who has the disorder
b. History of seasonal allergies
,c. Living in a rural community
d. Raised in a middle-class income family - ANSWER- a. Having a twin
sibling who has the disorder
Rational: A client who has a twin who has schizophrenia is at risk
for developing schizophrenia. Studies have shown that twins have a
heritability of schizophrenia of around 60% to 80%. The nurse
should include this risk factor when educating staff members.
A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia. Which of the
following questions should the nurse ask during the exploitation phase
of the nurse-client relationship?
a. "Which stress reduction techniques are you finding helpful alongside
your medication?"
b. "When would you like your first appointment to take place?"
c. "Do you have any religious or cultural beliefs that should I be aware
of to support you?"
d. "Do you feel safe in your home environment?" - ANSWER- a.
"Which stress reduction techniques are you finding helpful alongside
your medication?"
Rational: During the working phase, or the exploitation phase, the
nurse and client should discuss interventions, such as stress
reduction techniques and medications, that the client is using in
their treatment.
, A nurse is caring for a client who has a major depressive disorder.
Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse the client is
experiencing psychosis?
a. Depressed mood
b. Anxiety symptoms
c. Mania
d. Hallucinations - ANSWER- d. Hallucinations
Rational: Hallucinations occur during a major depressive mood
episode.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a SMI and has been recently
released from prison. Which of the following factors related to being
released from a prison increases the client's risk of relapsing?
a. Experiencing medication adverse effects
b. Inability to find housing
c. Continued physical impairment
d. Being the victim of a violent crime - ANSWER- b. Inability to find
housing
Rational: Clients who have recently been released from prison can
struggle to secure housing and employment. These risk factors can
increase the client's chance of relapsing after release.
AND PSYCHOSIS STUDY GUIDE 2026
ALLQUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES ALREADY A
GRADED |NEW AND REVISED
A nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with
schizophrenia. Which of the following should the nurse identify as a
positive symptom?
a. alogia
b. hallucination
c. avolition
d. anhedonia - ANSWER- b. hallucination
Rational: The nurse should identify hearing things that are not real
can be part of a hallucination. Hallucinations are a positive
symptom of schizophrenia. Other positive symptoms can include
paranoia, and distorted beliefs and perceptions.
A nurse is providing education to a group of staff members about risk
factors for schizophrenia. Which of the following risk factors should the
nurse include?
a. Having a twin sibling who has the disorder
b. History of seasonal allergies
,c. Living in a rural community
d. Raised in a middle-class income family - ANSWER- a. Having a twin
sibling who has the disorder
Rational: A client who has a twin who has schizophrenia is at risk
for developing schizophrenia. Studies have shown that twins have a
heritability of schizophrenia of around 60% to 80%. The nurse
should include this risk factor when educating staff members.
A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia. Which of the
following questions should the nurse ask during the exploitation phase
of the nurse-client relationship?
a. "Which stress reduction techniques are you finding helpful alongside
your medication?"
b. "When would you like your first appointment to take place?"
c. "Do you have any religious or cultural beliefs that should I be aware
of to support you?"
d. "Do you feel safe in your home environment?" - ANSWER- a.
"Which stress reduction techniques are you finding helpful alongside
your medication?"
Rational: During the working phase, or the exploitation phase, the
nurse and client should discuss interventions, such as stress
reduction techniques and medications, that the client is using in
their treatment.
, A nurse is caring for a client who has a major depressive disorder.
Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse the client is
experiencing psychosis?
a. Depressed mood
b. Anxiety symptoms
c. Mania
d. Hallucinations - ANSWER- d. Hallucinations
Rational: Hallucinations occur during a major depressive mood
episode.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a SMI and has been recently
released from prison. Which of the following factors related to being
released from a prison increases the client's risk of relapsing?
a. Experiencing medication adverse effects
b. Inability to find housing
c. Continued physical impairment
d. Being the victim of a violent crime - ANSWER- b. Inability to find
housing
Rational: Clients who have recently been released from prison can
struggle to secure housing and employment. These risk factors can
increase the client's chance of relapsing after release.
