Question 1

Which reaction to a compliment from another client should a nurse identify as a typical response from a client diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

A)  Interpreting the compliment as a secret code used to increase personal power 
B)  Feeling the compliment was well deserved 
C)  Being grateful for the compliment but fearing later rejection and humiliation 
D)  Wondering what deep meaning and purpose is attached to the compliment 
A)  Interpreting the compliment as a secret code used to increase personal power 
B)  Feeling the compliment was well deserved 
C)  Being grateful for the compliment but fearing later rejection and humiliation 
D)  Wondering what deep meaning and purpose is attached to the compliment C

Question 2

A nurse is admitting a client with a new diagnosis of a personality disorder. Which of the following would make the nurse question this diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

A)  The client has been diagnosed with sickle cell anemia. 
B)  The client has an inflated self-appraisal and feels a sense of entitlement. 
C)  The client has a history of a substance use disorder. 
D)  The client is odd and eccentric but not delusional. 
E)  The client has an intellectual developmental disorder. 
A)  The client has been diagnosed with sickle cell anemia. 
B)  The client has an inflated self-appraisal and feels a sense of entitlement. 
C)  The client has a history of a substance use disorder. 
D)  The client is odd and eccentric but not delusional. 
E)  The client has an intellectual developmental disorder. A,C,E

Question 3

A nursing instructor is teaching students about clients diagnosed with histrionic personality disorder and the quality of their relationships. Which student statement indicates that learning has occurred?

Accepted Answer

A)  "Their dramatic style tends to make their interpersonal relationships quite interesting and fulfilling." 
B)  "Their interpersonal relationships tend to be shallow and fleeting, serving their dependency needs." 
C)  "They tend to develop few relationships because they are strongly independent but generally maintain deep affection." 
D)  "They pay particular attention to details, which can interfere with the development of relationships." 
A)  "Their dramatic style tends to make their interpersonal relationships quite interesting and fulfilling." 
B)  "Their interpersonal relationships tend to be shallow and fleeting, serving their dependency needs." 
C)  "They tend to develop few relationships because they are strongly independent but generally maintain deep affection." 
D)  "They pay particular attention to details, which can interfere with the development of relationships." B

Question 4

During an assessment interview, a client diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder spits, curses, and refuses to answer questions. Which is the appropriate nursing response to this behavior?

Accepted Answer

A)  "You are very disrespectful. You need to learn to control yourself." 
B)  "I understand that you are angry, but this behavior will not be tolerated." 
C)  "What behaviors could you modify to improve this situation?" 
D)  "What antipersonality disorder medications have helped you in the past?" 
A)  "You are very disrespectful. You need to learn to control yourself." 
B)  "I understand that you are angry, but this behavior will not be tolerated." 
C)  "What behaviors could you modify to improve this situation?" 
D)  "What antipersonality disorder medications have helped you in the past?"

Question 5

A client expresses low self-worth, has much difficulty making decisions, avoids positions of responsibility, and has a behavioral pattern of "suffering" in silence. Which statement best explains the etiology of this client's personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

A)  Childhood nurturance was provided from many sources, and independent behaviors were encouraged. 
B)  Childhood nurturance was provided exclusively from one source, and independent behaviors were discouraged. 
C)  Childhood nurturance was provided exclusively from one source, and independent behaviors were encouraged. 
D)  Childhood nurturance was provided from many sources, and independent behaviors were discouraged. 
A)  Childhood nurturance was provided from many sources, and independent behaviors were encouraged. 
B)  Childhood nurturance was provided exclusively from one source, and independent behaviors were discouraged. 
C)  Childhood nurturance was provided exclusively from one source, and independent behaviors were encouraged. 
D)  Childhood nurturance was provided from many sources, and independent behaviors were discouraged.

Question 6

Family members of a client ask the nurse to explain the difference between schizoid and avoidant personality disorders. Which is the appropriate nursing response?

Accepted Answer

A)  Clients diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder desire intimacy but fear it, and clients diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder prefer to be alone. 
B)  Clients diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder exhibit delusions and hallucinations, while clients diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder do not. 
C)  Clients diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder are eccentric, and clients diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder are dull and vacant. 
D)  Clients diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder have a history of psychosis, while clients diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder remain based in reality. 
A)  Clients diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder desire intimacy but fear it, and clients diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder prefer to be alone. 
B)  Clients diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder exhibit delusions and hallucinations, while clients diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder do not. 
C)  Clients diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder are eccentric, and clients diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder are dull and vacant. 
D)  Clients diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder have a history of psychosis, while clients diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder remain based in reality.

Question 7

When planning care for a client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, which self-harm behavior should a nurse expect the client to exhibit?

Accepted Answer

A)  The use of highly lethal methods to commit suicide 
B)  The use of suicidal gestures to elicit a rescue response from others 
C)  The use of isolation and starvation as suicidal methods 
D)  The use of self-mutilation to decrease endorphins in the body 
A)  The use of highly lethal methods to commit suicide 
B)  The use of suicidal gestures to elicit a rescue response from others 
C)  The use of isolation and starvation as suicidal methods 
D)  The use of self-mutilation to decrease endorphins in the body

Question 8

Which nursing diagnosis should be prioritized when providing nursing care to a client diagnosed with paranoid personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

A)  Risk for violence: directed toward others R/T paranoid thinking 
B)  Risk for suicide R/T altered thought 
C)  Altered sensory perception R/T increased levels of anxiety 
D)  Social isolation R/T inability to relate to others 
A)  Risk for violence: directed toward others R/T paranoid thinking 
B)  Risk for suicide R/T altered thought 
C)  Altered sensory perception R/T increased levels of anxiety 
D)  Social isolation R/T inability to relate to others

Question 9

When planning care for clients diagnosed with personality disorders, what should be the goal of treatment?

Accepted Answer

A)  To stabilize the client's pathology by using the correct combination of psychotropic medications 
B)  To change the characteristics of the dysfunctional personality 
C)  To reduce personality trait inflexibility that interferes with functioning and relationships 
D)  To decrease the prevalence of neurotransmitters at receptor sites 
A)  To stabilize the client's pathology by using the correct combination of psychotropic medications 
B)  To change the characteristics of the dysfunctional personality 
C)  To reduce personality trait inflexibility that interferes with functioning and relationships 
D)  To decrease the prevalence of neurotransmitters at receptor sites

Question 10

Which client situation would reflect the impulsive behavior that is commonly associated with borderline personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

A)  As the day-shift nurse leaves the unit, the client suddenly hugs the nurse's arm and whispers, "The night nurse is evil. You have to stay." 
B)  As the day-shift nurse leaves the unit, the client suddenly hugs the nurse's arm and states, "I will be up all night if you don't stay with me." 
C)  As the day-shift nurse leaves the unit, the client suddenly hugs the nurse's arm, yelling, "Please don't go! I can't sleep without you being here." 
D)  As the day-shift nurse leaves the unit, the client suddenly shows the nurse a bloody arm and states, "I cut myself because you are leaving me." 
A)  As the day-shift nurse leaves the unit, the client suddenly hugs the nurse's arm and whispers, "The night nurse is evil. You have to stay." 
B)  As the day-shift nurse leaves the unit, the client suddenly hugs the nurse's arm and states, "I will be up all night if you don't stay with me." 
C)  As the day-shift nurse leaves the unit, the client suddenly hugs the nurse's arm, yelling, "Please don't go! I can't sleep without you being here." 
D)  As the day-shift nurse leaves the unit, the client suddenly shows the nurse a bloody arm and states, "I cut myself because you are leaving me."

Question 11

A client is being assessed for antisocial personality disorder. According to the DSM-5, which of the following symptoms must the client meet in order to be assigned this diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

A)  Ego-centrism and goal setting based on personal gratification. 
B)  Incapacity for mutually intimate relationships. 
C)  Frequent feelings of being down, miserable, or hopeless. 
D)  Disregard for and failure to honor financial and other obligations. 
E)  Intense feelings of nervousness, tenseness, or panic. 
A)  Ego-centrism and goal setting based on personal gratification. 
B)  Incapacity for mutually intimate relationships. 
C)  Frequent feelings of being down, miserable, or hopeless. 
D)  Disregard for and failure to honor financial and other obligations. 
E)  Intense feelings of nervousness, tenseness, or panic.

Question 12

During an interview, which client statement should indicate to a nurse a potential diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

A)  "I don't have a problem. My family is inflexible, and my relatives are out to get me." 
B)  "I am so excited about working with you. Have you noticed my new nail polish, 'Ruby Red Roses'?" 
C)  "I spend all my time tending my bees. I know a whole lot of information about bees." 
D)  "I am getting a message from the beyond that we have been involved with each other in a previous life." 
A)  "I don't have a problem. My family is inflexible, and my relatives are out to get me." 
B)  "I am so excited about working with you. Have you noticed my new nail polish, 'Ruby Red Roses'?" 
C)  "I spend all my time tending my bees. I know a whole lot of information about bees." 
D)  "I am getting a message from the beyond that we have been involved with each other in a previous life."

Question 13

From a behavioral perspective, which nursing intervention is appropriate when caring for a client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

A)  Seclude the client when inappropriate behaviors are exhibited. 
B)  Contract with the client to reinforce positive behaviors with unit privileges. 
C)  Teach the purpose of anti-anxiety medications to improve medication compliance. 
D)  Encourage the client to journal feelings to improve awareness of abandonment issues. 
A)  Seclude the client when inappropriate behaviors are exhibited. 
B)  Contract with the client to reinforce positive behaviors with unit privileges. 
C)  Teach the purpose of anti-anxiety medications to improve medication compliance. 
D)  Encourage the client to journal feelings to improve awareness of abandonment issues.

Question 14

Which client symptoms should lead a nurse to suspect a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

A)  The client experiences unwanted, intrusive, and persistent thoughts. 
B)  The client experiences unwanted, repetitive behavior patterns. 
C)  The client experiences inflexibility and lack of spontaneity when dealing with others. 
D)  The client experiences obsessive thoughts that are externally imposed. 
A)  The client experiences unwanted, intrusive, and persistent thoughts. 
B)  The client experiences unwanted, repetitive behavior patterns. 
C)  The client experiences inflexibility and lack of spontaneity when dealing with others. 
D)  The client experiences obsessive thoughts that are externally imposed.

Question 15

Which client is a nurse most likely to admit to an inpatient facility for self-destructive behaviors?

Accepted Answer

A)  A client diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder. 
B)  A client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. 
C)  A client diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder. 
D)  A client diagnosed with paranoid personality disorder. 
A)  A client diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder. 
B)  A client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. 
C)  A client diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder. 
D)  A client diagnosed with paranoid personality disorder.

Question 16

_____________________ personality disorder is a pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of others, such that their motives are interpreted as malevolent.

Accepted Answer

The answer of _____________________ personality disorder is a pervasive distrust...

Question 17

At 11 p.m. a client diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder demands to phone a lawyer to file for a divorce. Unit rules state that no phone calls are permitted after 10 p.m. Which nursing response is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

A)  "Go ahead and use the phone. I know this pending divorce is stressful." 
B)  "You know better than to break the rules. I'm surprised at you." 
C)  "It is after the 10 p.m. phone curfew. You will be able to call tomorrow." 
D)  "A divorce shouldn't be considered until you have had a good night's sleep." 
A)  "Go ahead and use the phone. I know this pending divorce is stressful." 
B)  "You know better than to break the rules. I'm surprised at you." 
C)  "It is after the 10 p.m. phone curfew. You will be able to call tomorrow." 
D)  "A divorce shouldn't be considered until you have had a good night's sleep."

Question 18

Which factors differentiate a client diagnosed with social phobia from a client diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

A)  Clients diagnosed with social phobia are treated with cognitive behavioral therapy, whereas clients diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder need medications. 
B)  Clients diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder experience anxiety only in social settings, whereas clients diagnosed with social phobia experience generalized anxiety. 
C)  Clients diagnosed with social phobia avoid attending birthday parties, whereas clients diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder would isolate self on a continual basis. 
D)  Clients diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder avoid attending birthday parties, whereas clients diagnosed with social phobia would isolate self on a continual basis. 
A)  Clients diagnosed with social phobia are treated with cognitive behavioral therapy, whereas clients diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder need medications. 
B)  Clients diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder experience anxiety only in social settings, whereas clients diagnosed with social phobia experience generalized anxiety. 
C)  Clients diagnosed with social phobia avoid attending birthday parties, whereas clients diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder would isolate self on a continual basis. 
D)  Clients diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder avoid attending birthday parties, whereas clients diagnosed with social phobia would isolate self on a continual basis.

Question 19

A nurse tells a client that the nursing staff will start alternating weekend shifts. Which response should a nurse identify as characteristic of clients diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

A)  "You really don't have to go by that schedule. I'd just stay home sick." 
B)  "There has got to be a hidden agenda behind this schedule change." 
C)  "Who do you think you are? I expect to interact with the same nurse every Saturday." 
D)  "You can't make these kinds of changes! Isn't there a rule that governs this decision?" 
A)  "You really don't have to go by that schedule. I'd just stay home sick." 
B)  "There has got to be a hidden agenda behind this schedule change." 
C)  "Who do you think you are? I expect to interact with the same nurse every Saturday." 
D)  "You can't make these kinds of changes! Isn't there a rule that governs this decision?"

Question 20

Which statements represent positive outcomes for clients diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder?

Accepted Answer

A)  The client will relate one empathetic statement to another client in group by day two. 
B)  The client will identify one personal limitation by day one. 
C)  The client will acknowledge one strength that another client possesses by day two. 
D)  The client will list four personal strengths by day three. 
E)  The client will list two lifetime achievements by discharge. 
A)  The client will relate one empathetic statement to another client in group by day two. 
B)  The client will identify one personal limitation by day one. 
C)  The client will acknowledge one strength that another client possesses by day two. 
D)  The client will list four personal strengths by day three. 
E)  The client will list two lifetime achievements by discharge.

Exam 23: Personality Disorders

Which reaction to a compliment from another client should a nurse identify as a typical response from a client diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder?

A nurse is admitting a client with a new diagnosis of a personality disorder. Which of the following would make the nurse question this diagnosis?

A nursing instructor is teaching students about clients diagnosed with histrionic personality disorder and the quality of their relationships. Which student statement indicates that learning has occurred?

During an assessment interview, a client diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder spits, curses, and refuses to answer questions. Which is the appropriate nursing response to this behavior?

A client expresses low self-worth, has much difficulty making decisions, avoids positions of responsibility, and has a behavioral pattern of "suffering" in silence. Which statement best explains the etiology of this client's personality disorder?

Family members of a client ask the nurse to explain the difference between schizoid and avoidant personality disorders. Which is the appropriate nursing response?

When planning care for a client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, which self-harm behavior should a nurse expect the client to exhibit?

Which nursing diagnosis should be prioritized when providing nursing care to a client diagnosed with paranoid personality disorder?

When planning care for clients diagnosed with personality disorders, what should be the goal of treatment?

Which client situation would reflect the impulsive behavior that is commonly associated with borderline personality disorder?

A client is being assessed for antisocial personality disorder. According to the DSM-5, which of the following symptoms must the client meet in order to be assigned this diagnosis?

During an interview, which client statement should indicate to a nurse a potential diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder?

From a behavioral perspective, which nursing intervention is appropriate when caring for a client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder?

Which client symptoms should lead a nurse to suspect a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder?

Which client is a nurse most likely to admit to an inpatient facility for self-destructive behaviors?

_____________________ personality disorder is a pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of others, such that their motives are interpreted as malevolent.

At 11 p.m. a client diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder demands to phone a lawyer to file for a divorce. Unit rules state that no phone calls are permitted after 10 p.m. Which nursing response is most appropriate?

Which factors differentiate a client diagnosed with social phobia from a client diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder?

A nurse tells a client that the nursing staff will start alternating weekend shifts. Which response should a nurse identify as characteristic of clients diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder?

Which statements represent positive outcomes for clients diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder?

Mental Health and Mental Illness

Biological Implications

Ethical and Legal Issues

Psychopharmacology

Cultural and Spiritual Concepts Relevant to Psychiatricmental Health Nursing

Relationship Development and Therapeutic Communication

The Nursing Process in Psychiatricmental Health Nursing

Milieu Therapythe Therapeutic Community

Interventions in Groups

Intervening in Crises

The Recovery Model

Suicide Prevention

Neurocognitive Disorders

Substance Use and Addictive Disorders

Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders

Depressive Disorders

Bipolar and Other Related Disorders

Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Related Disorders

Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders

Somatic Symptom and Dissociative Disorders

Issues Related to Human Sexuality and Gender Dysphoria

Eating Disorders

Children and Adolescents

The Aging Individual

Survivors of Abuse or Neglect

Community Mental Health Nursing

The Bereaved Individual

Military Families

Filters