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ATI SCHIZOPHRENIA SPECTRUM
DISORDERS AND PSYCHOSIS – 2026 EXAM
PRACTICE COMPLETE (100) CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
EXPLANATIONS|GUARANTEED PASS.
SCHIZOPHRENIA
Ace the ATI Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders and Psychosis Exam
practice with practice questions covering symptoms, diagnoses,
antipsychotic medications, side effects, nursing interventions,
therapeutic communication, and client/family education. This study
resource helps reinforce essential nursing concepts and supports
effective preparation for ATI assessments. Designed to improve
clinical understanding and boost confidence in psychiatric nursing
care. Suitable for nursing and mental health students.
Multiple choice.
Section 1: Positive Symptoms & Psychotic Features
(Questions 1–20)
1. A client with schizophrenia states, “The FBI is listening to
my every word through the light bulbs.” The nurse
documents this as which type of symptom?
A) Hallucination
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B) Delusion of persecution
C) Idea of reference
D) Thought broadcasting
Answer: B. Delusion of persecution
Explanation: A persecutory delusion involves a false belief
that one is being targeted, harassed, or monitored. The client
believes the FBI is using light bulbs to listen to them. This is a
fixed, false belief despite evidence to the contrary.
2. The nurse is assessing a client who reports hearing a voice
that repeats the phrase “You are no good” throughout the
day. The nurse should document this as:
A) Illusion
B) Auditory hallucination
C) Depersonalization
D) Obsession
Answer: B. Auditory hallucination
Explanation: Auditory hallucinations are false perceptions of
sound without an external stimulus. They are the most
common type of hallucination in schizophrenia and often
have negative, derogatory content. Illusions are
misinterpretations of real stimuli.
3. A client tells the nurse, “I am the president of the universe
and I will abolish all taxes.” This statement is an example of:
A) Persecutory delusion
B) Grandiose delusion
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C) Somatic delusion
D) Nihilistic delusion
Answer: B. Grandiose delusion
Explanation: Grandiose delusions involve an exaggerated
sense of power, identity, or importance (e.g., believing one is
a world leader, a deity, or has special abilities). These are
common in mania and schizophrenia.
4. The nurse observes a client rubbing their arms and saying,
“There are bugs crawling all over me.” The nurse suspects
which type of hallucination?
A) Auditory
B) Visual
C) Tactile
D) Olfactory
Answer: C. Tactile
Explanation: Tactile (haptic) hallucinations involve
sensations on or under the skin, such as crawling bugs
(formication), electric shocks, or burning. They are often
associated with substance withdrawal, psychosis, or
delirium.
5. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, “The news
anchor on TV just told me that I need to go to the police
station.” The client is experiencing:
A) Thought insertion
B) Delusion of reference
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C) Magical thinking
D) Thought withdrawal
Answer: B. Delusion of reference
Explanation: Delusions of reference (or ideas of reference)
are the false belief that neutral events, objects, or
communications (such as a TV broadcast) have special,
personal meaning directed at the client. The client believes
the anchor is speaking directly to them.
6. A client states, “My thoughts are being sucked out of my
head by a machine in the next room.” This symptom is called:
A) Thought insertion
B) Thought broadcasting
C) Thought withdrawal
D) Alogia
Answer: C. Thought withdrawal
Explanation: Thought withdrawal is a delusion that one’s
thoughts are being removed from one’s mind by an external
force. Thought insertion is the belief that alien thoughts are
being placed into one’s mind. Thought broadcasting is the
belief that one’s thoughts are heard aloud by others.
7. The nurse is caring for a client who sits very still for hours,
does not speak, and appears unaware of the environment.
This presentation is most consistent with:
A) Catatonic excitement
B) Catatonic stupor
ATI SCHIZOPHRENIA SPECTRUM
DISORDERS AND PSYCHOSIS – 2026 EXAM
PRACTICE COMPLETE (100) CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
EXPLANATIONS|GUARANTEED PASS.
SCHIZOPHRENIA
Ace the ATI Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders and Psychosis Exam
practice with practice questions covering symptoms, diagnoses,
antipsychotic medications, side effects, nursing interventions,
therapeutic communication, and client/family education. This study
resource helps reinforce essential nursing concepts and supports
effective preparation for ATI assessments. Designed to improve
clinical understanding and boost confidence in psychiatric nursing
care. Suitable for nursing and mental health students.
Multiple choice.
Section 1: Positive Symptoms & Psychotic Features
(Questions 1–20)
1. A client with schizophrenia states, “The FBI is listening to
my every word through the light bulbs.” The nurse
documents this as which type of symptom?
A) Hallucination
, Page 2 of 58
B) Delusion of persecution
C) Idea of reference
D) Thought broadcasting
Answer: B. Delusion of persecution
Explanation: A persecutory delusion involves a false belief
that one is being targeted, harassed, or monitored. The client
believes the FBI is using light bulbs to listen to them. This is a
fixed, false belief despite evidence to the contrary.
2. The nurse is assessing a client who reports hearing a voice
that repeats the phrase “You are no good” throughout the
day. The nurse should document this as:
A) Illusion
B) Auditory hallucination
C) Depersonalization
D) Obsession
Answer: B. Auditory hallucination
Explanation: Auditory hallucinations are false perceptions of
sound without an external stimulus. They are the most
common type of hallucination in schizophrenia and often
have negative, derogatory content. Illusions are
misinterpretations of real stimuli.
3. A client tells the nurse, “I am the president of the universe
and I will abolish all taxes.” This statement is an example of:
A) Persecutory delusion
B) Grandiose delusion
, Page 3 of 58
C) Somatic delusion
D) Nihilistic delusion
Answer: B. Grandiose delusion
Explanation: Grandiose delusions involve an exaggerated
sense of power, identity, or importance (e.g., believing one is
a world leader, a deity, or has special abilities). These are
common in mania and schizophrenia.
4. The nurse observes a client rubbing their arms and saying,
“There are bugs crawling all over me.” The nurse suspects
which type of hallucination?
A) Auditory
B) Visual
C) Tactile
D) Olfactory
Answer: C. Tactile
Explanation: Tactile (haptic) hallucinations involve
sensations on or under the skin, such as crawling bugs
(formication), electric shocks, or burning. They are often
associated with substance withdrawal, psychosis, or
delirium.
5. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, “The news
anchor on TV just told me that I need to go to the police
station.” The client is experiencing:
A) Thought insertion
B) Delusion of reference
, Page 4 of 58
C) Magical thinking
D) Thought withdrawal
Answer: B. Delusion of reference
Explanation: Delusions of reference (or ideas of reference)
are the false belief that neutral events, objects, or
communications (such as a TV broadcast) have special,
personal meaning directed at the client. The client believes
the anchor is speaking directly to them.
6. A client states, “My thoughts are being sucked out of my
head by a machine in the next room.” This symptom is called:
A) Thought insertion
B) Thought broadcasting
C) Thought withdrawal
D) Alogia
Answer: C. Thought withdrawal
Explanation: Thought withdrawal is a delusion that one’s
thoughts are being removed from one’s mind by an external
force. Thought insertion is the belief that alien thoughts are
being placed into one’s mind. Thought broadcasting is the
belief that one’s thoughts are heard aloud by others.
7. The nurse is caring for a client who sits very still for hours,
does not speak, and appears unaware of the environment.
This presentation is most consistent with:
A) Catatonic excitement
B) Catatonic stupor
