Deck 29: Personality Disorders

Question 1

A person loves being the center of attention. Recently this person sustained a paper cut on a finger and called an ambulance. The patient says, "I can't believe my supervisor denied my sick leave request." This individual most clearly displays traits of:

A) dependent personality disorder.
B) histrionic personality disorder.
C) antisocial personality disorder.
D) borderline personality disorder.

Answer 1

histrionic personality disorder.

Question 2

Personality traits most likely to describe a patient diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder are:

A) friendly; generous.
B) dramatic; impulsive.
C) perfectionist; inflexible.
D) suspicious; submissive.

Answer 2

perfectionist; inflexible.

Question 3

Characteristic behaviors a nurse would expect when working with a patient diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder are:

A) preoccupied with details; perfectionism.
B) socially isolated; odd, eccentric behavior.
C) dramatic expression; easily influenced by others.
D) grandiosity; sense of entitlement; lack of empathy.

Answer 3

grandiosity; sense of entitlement; lack of empathy.

Question 4

Which behaviors are expected in patients diagnosed with avoidant personality disorders?

A) Social aptitude; risk taking
B) Promiscuity; impulsiveness
C) Shyness; poor self-confidence
D) Attention seeking; helplessness

Question 5

The nurse working with a patient diagnosed with borderline personality disorder expects:

A) grief and social isolation.
B) withdrawal and social avoidance.
C) mood shifts, impulsivity, and manipulation.
D) seductiveness, grandiosity, and overreaction.

Question 6

A clinic nurse encounters a new patient diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder. What is the best initial nursing intervention?

A) Set firm limits.
B) Engage in trust building.
C) Involve the patient in group activities.
D) Encourage identification of feelings.

Question 7

The history of an individual diagnosed with borderline personality disorder often includes:

A) the loss of a parent at an early age.
B) a family history of bipolar disorder.
C) a dysfunctional, abusive childhood.
D) an overindulged childhood with few limits.

Question 8

A patient has had long-term conflicts with two siblings over their parents' wills. The patient reacts quickly with anger, suspicious that the siblings are plotting to take all the inheritance. These characteristics are most consistent with which personality disorder?

A) Schizoid
B) Paranoid
C) Borderline
D) Narcissistic

Question 9

Patients diagnosed with dependent personality disorders behave submissively and cling to others. What is the best explanation of this behavior?

A) The patients are afraid of being alone or functioning without direction.
B) The patients adhere to strict standards and fear failure.
C) The patients have little regard for the rights of others.
D) The patients are suspicious of the motives of others.

Question 10

A nurse caring for a person diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder expects which assessment findings?

A) Impulsive, restless, socially aggressive behavior
B) Few interactions with others; little verbalization
C) Magical thinking; suspicious, odd behavior
D) Distrustful, cold, often angry behaviors

Question 11

Since admission, a patient diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder has been highly manipulative and constantly tests staff. Now, the patient insists on watching a late movie instead of complying with the bedtime. Select the nurse's best response.

A) "It's a unit rule that bedtime is at 10 PM."
B) "I will not allow you to manipulate me again."
C) "If you ask again, tomorrow's bedtime will be 9 PM."
D) "I understand your sleep problems and can allow it just this once."

Question 12

Which nursing intervention is most likely to result in heightened self-awareness for a patient diagnosed with a personality disorder in the dramatic-erratic cluster?

A) Setting firm limits on behavior
B) Providing clear expectations for acceptable behavior
C) Using confrontational approaches to reduce self-mutilation
D) Encouraging the patient to keep a daily journal to be shared with the nurse

Question 13

An adult has a history of intoxication and promiscuity. After stealing money from a grandparent, this person says, "I deserved that money. My family had no right to press charges against me." The scenario depicts features of which personality disorder?

A) Histrionic
B) Narcissistic
C) Antisocial
D) Borderline

Question 14

When contrasting schizophrenia and schizotypal personality disorder, which statement applies?

A) In schizotypal personality disorder, the patient remains psychotic much longer.
B) The patient with schizophrenia has better social skills and is not usually overtly psychotic.
C) The person with schizotypal personality disorder may have cognitive distortions but not psychosis.
D) Schizotypal personality disorder is associated with more frequent and prolonged hospitalizations.

Question 15

A patient diagnosed with borderline personality disorder has demonstrated self-mutilation and inappropriate expressions of anger. Which statement by the patient would the nurse evaluate as an improvement?

A) "I think you are the nicest nurse on the unit."
B) "I got drunk last night, but I won't ever do it again."
C) "I felt like cutting myself, so I came to talk to you."
D) "I hate my friends. They never help me when I need it."

Question 16

Which characteristic of individuals diagnosed with personality disorders in the dramatic-erratic cluster makes it advisable for staff to have frequent patient-centered meetings?

A) Manipulating others to avoid limits
B) Behaving responsibly in the peer group
C) Withdrawing from interactions with others
D) Depending excessively on others for support

Question 17

When caring for a patient diagnosed with dependent personality disorder, the nurse should positively reinforce which behavior?

A) Choosing which clothing to wear
B) Asking another patient for advice
C) Sitting next to the nurse at a community meeting
D) Concealing anger with a family member

Question 18

Which statement accurately applies to personality disorders?

A) One aspect of personality is usually involved.
B) Personality traits are dysfunctional and inflexible.
C) Patients have subjective distress, but not impaired functioning.
D) Symptoms have a short duration and are responsive to treatment.

Question 19

A distinctive characteristic in a patient with antisocial personality disorder is:

A) feelings of guilt and remorse.
B) disregarding the rights of others.
C) responsiveness to antipsychotics.
D) responsiveness to kind suggestions.

Question 20

A patient demonstrating borderline personality disorder says, "When I met him, he was perfect and gave me everything. Now I know how bad he really is. He left me alone tonight to go out with others, so I had to cut myself." Which feature is evident?

A) Splitting
B) Paranoia
C) Grandiosity
D) Submissiveness

Question 21

A psychiatric technician says, "I get annoyed with patients who self-mutilate over things other people would ignore. I think they just do it to get attention." Select the nurse's best response.

A) "Many people feel the way you do. If you are unable to come to terms with the issue, we can transfer you."
B) "Self-mutilation is a serious problem. Patients with this personality disorder may complete suicide."
C) "We have to consider each case individually. Some are manipulative, and others are serious."
D) "You seem to be having difficulty empathizing and remaining nonjudgmental."

Question 22

Which behaviors create interpersonal relationship problems for an individual diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder? Select all that apply.

A) Grandiose self-importance
B) Sense of entitlement
C) Lack of empathy
D) Risk taking
E) Shyness

Question 23

Select the best outcome for a patient with schizotypal personality disorder. The patient will:

A) adhere willingly to program norms.
B) introduce himself or herself to a stranger in a social situation.
C) report decreased incidence of impulses to self-mutilate.
D) demonstrate fewer attempts at splitting or manipulating staff.

Question 24

A patient diagnosed with borderline personality disorder impulsively self-mutilates and has severe mood lability with explosive outbursts, poor interpersonal relations, and inability to sustain employment. Which referrals should the nurse consider for the patient? Select all that apply.

A) Dialectic behavior therapy
B) Alcoholics Anonymous
C) Vocational rehabilitation
D) Desensitization therapy
E) Anger management