NSG 322 Exam 2: (Latest 2026/2027 Update) Personality Disorders (Clusters A,
B, C) | Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified Answers) – Nursing Program
Subject: NSG 322 – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
Source: NSG 322 Exam 2 Blueprint 2026/2027
Format: Q&A Guide with Rationale | Verified Grade A
1. How do you describe Cluster A personality disorders?
Correct Answer: Characterized by behaviors that are described as odd or eccentric. The behaviors may
seem atypical compared to a "typical response."
1. Cluster A disorders are sometimes called the "odd or eccentric" cluster.
2. Includes paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal personality disorders.
3. Individuals often have difficulty relating to others and may have unusual beliefs or perceptions.
2. What are the three types of Cluster A disorders?
Correct Answer: Paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal personality disorders.
1. Paranoid: distrust and suspiciousness.
2. Schizoid: detachment and restricted emotional expression.
3. Schizotypal: eccentric behavior, magical thinking, and social deficits.
3. Define paranoid personality disorder (PPD).
Correct Answer: Long-standing distrust and suspiciousness of others based on the belief, unsupported
by evidence, that others want to exploit, harm, or deceive the person. Relatives of patients with
schizophrenia are more frequently affected. Diagnosis of PPD often precedes a schizophrenia diagnosis.
1. PPD begins by early adulthood and occurs in various contexts.
2. Individuals are hypervigilant, bear grudges, and perceive attacks on character not apparent to
others.
3. They question loyalty of friends/spouse; may be litigious.
4. What are the symptoms of paranoid personality disorder?
Correct Answer: Parents may notice child doesn't have friends and experiences social anxiety; young
people frequently teased due to odd behavior. As adults: difficult relationships due to jealousy,
controlling behaviors, and unwillingness to forgive. For example, they may accuse partners of being
hypercritical when they themselves are constantly finding fault.
1. Often react with anger to perceived slights; may be argumentative and complain about
injustice.
2. May attack others' character or reputation in response (retaliatory).
3. Pathological jealousy: suspect spouse of infidelity without evidence.
, 5. What is the nursing care for paranoid personality disorder?
Correct Answer: Considering the degree of mistrust, all prearranged promises, appointments, and
schedules should be strictly adhered to. Being too nice or friendly may be met with suspicion. Instead,
give clear and straightforward explanations of tests and procedures before they are scheduled. Use
simple language and project a neutral but kindly affect. When threatening behaviors occur, set limits.
1. Consistency builds trust; avoid surprises.
2. Provide matter-of-fact, respectful approach.
3. Avoid joking, overfamiliarity, or touch without permission.
6. What are treatment modalities for paranoid personality disorder?
Correct Answer: Psychotherapy is first line (develop trust). Role playing and group feedback can
reduce suspiciousness. Anxiolytics (diazepam) may reduce anxiety/agitation. Antipsychotics
(haloperidol) small doses, brief periods for delusional thinking or severe agitation. Pimozide (Orap)
may reduce paranoid ideation.
1. Individual therapy focuses on building trusting therapeutic alliance.
2. Medications treat associated symptoms (anxiety, agitation, brief psychosis).
3. Group therapy may be difficult initially due to paranoia.
7. Describe schizoid personality disorder.
Correct Answer: People exhibit a lifelong pattern of social withdrawal, are somewhat expressionless,
and have a restricted range of emotional expression. Others view them as odd or eccentric because of
their discomfort with social interaction.
1. Indifference to praise or criticism; neither seems to affect them.
2. Choose solitary activities; no desire for close relationships (including family).p>3. May appear
"cold" or uninterested in sex.
8. What are the symptoms of schizoid personality disorder?
Correct Answer: Symptoms appear in childhood/adolescence; loners, do poorly in school, objects of
peer ridicule. Increased prevalence in families with schizophrenia or schizotypal PD. Relationships
particularly affected by emotional detachment; do not seek or enjoy close relationships; friendships,
dating, and sexual experiences rare. May divulge imaginary friends and fantasies if trust established.
Endorse feelings of being an observer rather than participant; may describe depersonalization.
1. Not distressed by lack of relationships (unlike avoidant PD).
2. Hypersensitivity to interpersonal cues is absent.
3. Abnormalities in dopaminergic systems may underlie disorder.
9. What is the nursing care for schizoid personality disorder?
Correct Answer: Avoid being too "nice" or "friendly." Avoid efforts to promote patient's socialization.
Patients may be open to discussing topics such as coping and anxiety. Conduct thorough assessment to
identify symptoms patient is reluctant to discuss. Protect against ridicule from group members due to
patient's distinctive interests or ideas.
1. Respect patient's need for solitude.
2. Focus on practical concerns (health, housing, finances).
3. Explicitly state interpretations; avoid implied meanings.
B, C) | Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified Answers) – Nursing Program
Subject: NSG 322 – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
Source: NSG 322 Exam 2 Blueprint 2026/2027
Format: Q&A Guide with Rationale | Verified Grade A
1. How do you describe Cluster A personality disorders?
Correct Answer: Characterized by behaviors that are described as odd or eccentric. The behaviors may
seem atypical compared to a "typical response."
1. Cluster A disorders are sometimes called the "odd or eccentric" cluster.
2. Includes paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal personality disorders.
3. Individuals often have difficulty relating to others and may have unusual beliefs or perceptions.
2. What are the three types of Cluster A disorders?
Correct Answer: Paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal personality disorders.
1. Paranoid: distrust and suspiciousness.
2. Schizoid: detachment and restricted emotional expression.
3. Schizotypal: eccentric behavior, magical thinking, and social deficits.
3. Define paranoid personality disorder (PPD).
Correct Answer: Long-standing distrust and suspiciousness of others based on the belief, unsupported
by evidence, that others want to exploit, harm, or deceive the person. Relatives of patients with
schizophrenia are more frequently affected. Diagnosis of PPD often precedes a schizophrenia diagnosis.
1. PPD begins by early adulthood and occurs in various contexts.
2. Individuals are hypervigilant, bear grudges, and perceive attacks on character not apparent to
others.
3. They question loyalty of friends/spouse; may be litigious.
4. What are the symptoms of paranoid personality disorder?
Correct Answer: Parents may notice child doesn't have friends and experiences social anxiety; young
people frequently teased due to odd behavior. As adults: difficult relationships due to jealousy,
controlling behaviors, and unwillingness to forgive. For example, they may accuse partners of being
hypercritical when they themselves are constantly finding fault.
1. Often react with anger to perceived slights; may be argumentative and complain about
injustice.
2. May attack others' character or reputation in response (retaliatory).
3. Pathological jealousy: suspect spouse of infidelity without evidence.
, 5. What is the nursing care for paranoid personality disorder?
Correct Answer: Considering the degree of mistrust, all prearranged promises, appointments, and
schedules should be strictly adhered to. Being too nice or friendly may be met with suspicion. Instead,
give clear and straightforward explanations of tests and procedures before they are scheduled. Use
simple language and project a neutral but kindly affect. When threatening behaviors occur, set limits.
1. Consistency builds trust; avoid surprises.
2. Provide matter-of-fact, respectful approach.
3. Avoid joking, overfamiliarity, or touch without permission.
6. What are treatment modalities for paranoid personality disorder?
Correct Answer: Psychotherapy is first line (develop trust). Role playing and group feedback can
reduce suspiciousness. Anxiolytics (diazepam) may reduce anxiety/agitation. Antipsychotics
(haloperidol) small doses, brief periods for delusional thinking or severe agitation. Pimozide (Orap)
may reduce paranoid ideation.
1. Individual therapy focuses on building trusting therapeutic alliance.
2. Medications treat associated symptoms (anxiety, agitation, brief psychosis).
3. Group therapy may be difficult initially due to paranoia.
7. Describe schizoid personality disorder.
Correct Answer: People exhibit a lifelong pattern of social withdrawal, are somewhat expressionless,
and have a restricted range of emotional expression. Others view them as odd or eccentric because of
their discomfort with social interaction.
1. Indifference to praise or criticism; neither seems to affect them.
2. Choose solitary activities; no desire for close relationships (including family).p>3. May appear
"cold" or uninterested in sex.
8. What are the symptoms of schizoid personality disorder?
Correct Answer: Symptoms appear in childhood/adolescence; loners, do poorly in school, objects of
peer ridicule. Increased prevalence in families with schizophrenia or schizotypal PD. Relationships
particularly affected by emotional detachment; do not seek or enjoy close relationships; friendships,
dating, and sexual experiences rare. May divulge imaginary friends and fantasies if trust established.
Endorse feelings of being an observer rather than participant; may describe depersonalization.
1. Not distressed by lack of relationships (unlike avoidant PD).
2. Hypersensitivity to interpersonal cues is absent.
3. Abnormalities in dopaminergic systems may underlie disorder.
9. What is the nursing care for schizoid personality disorder?
Correct Answer: Avoid being too "nice" or "friendly." Avoid efforts to promote patient's socialization.
Patients may be open to discussing topics such as coping and anxiety. Conduct thorough assessment to
identify symptoms patient is reluctant to discuss. Protect against ridicule from group members due to
patient's distinctive interests or ideas.
1. Respect patient's need for solitude.
2. Focus on practical concerns (health, housing, finances).
3. Explicitly state interpretations; avoid implied meanings.
