NCLEX Personality Disorders Practice
Questions | Mood Disorders Nursing
Exam Prep Questions and
100%Accurate Answers
1. 1. Question
The nursing diagnosis that would be most appropriate for a 22-year old client
who uses ritualistic behavior would be:
A. Ineffective coping
B. Impaired adjustment
C. Personal identity disturbance
D. Sensory/perceptual alterations
Correct Answer: A. Ineffective coping
Ineffective coping is the impairment of a person’s adaptive behaviors and
problem-solving abilities in meeting life’s demands; ritualistic behavior fits under
this category as a defining characteristic. During the beginning of treatment,
allow plenty of time for rituals. Do not be judgmental or verbalize disapproval of
the behavior. To deny the client this activity can precipitate panic level of anxiety.
2. 2. Question
A psychiatrist prescribes an anti-obsessional agent for a client who is using
ritualistic behavior. A common anti-anxiety medication used for this type of client
would be:
A. fluvoxamine (Luvox)
Correct answer
B. benztropine (Cogentin)
C. amantadine (Symmetrel)
D. diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Page 1 of 29
, Correct Answer: A. fluvoxamine (Luvox).
This drug blocks the uptake of serotonin. Fluvoxamine is used to treat obsessive-
compulsive disorder (bothersome thoughts that won’t go away and the need to
perform certain actions over and over) and social anxiety disorder (extreme fear
of interacting with others or performing in front of others that interferes with
normal life). Fluvoxamine is in a class of medications called selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works by increasing the amount of serotonin, a
natural substance in the brain that helps maintain mental balance.
3. 3. Question
A 20-year old college student has been brought to the psychiatric hospital by her
parents. Her admitting diagnosis is borderline personality disorder. When talking
with the parents, which information would the nurse expect to be included in the
client’s history? Select all that apply.
A. Impulsiveness
B. Lability of mood
C. Ritualistic behavior
D. Psychomotor retardation
E. Self-destructive behavior
Correct Answers: Answer: A, B, & E
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious psychological condition that’s
characterized by unstable moods and emotions, relationships, and behavior. It’s
one of several personality disorders recognized by the American Psychiatric
Association (APA). Personality disorders are psychological conditions that begin
in adolescence or early adulthood, continue over many years, and, when left
untreated, can cause a great deal of distress. Thankfully, the right treatments
targeted for BPD can help significantly.
4. 4. Question
A hospitalized client, diagnosed with a borderline personality disorder,
consistently breaks the unit’s rules. This behavior should be confronted because it
will help the client:
A. Control anger
Page 2 of 29
, B. Reduce anxiety
C. Set realistic goals
D. Become more self-aware
Correct Answer: D. Become more self-aware.
Client’s must first become aware of their behavior before they can change it.
Occurs after the client is aware of the behavior and has a desire to change the
behavior. Review with the client the types of cognitive distortions that affect self-
esteem (e.g., self-blame, mind reading, overgeneralization, selective inattention,
all-or-none thinking). These are the most common cognitive distortions people
use. Identifying them is the first step to correcting distortions that form one’s
self-view.
5. 5. Question
When working with the nurse during the orientation phase of the relationship, a
client with a borderline personality disorder would probably have
the most difficulty in:
A. Controlling anxiety.
B. Terminating the session on time.
C. Accepting the psychiatric diagnosis.
D. Setting mutual goals for the relationship.
Correct Answer: D. Setting mutual goals for the relationship.
Clients with borderline personality disorders frequently demonstrate a pattern of
unstable interpersonal relationships, impulsiveness, affective instability, and
frantic efforts to avoid abandonment; these behaviors usually create great
difficulty in establishing mutual goals. Set goals realistically, and renegotiate
goals frequently. Remember that a client’s negative self-view and distrust of the
world took years to develop.
6. 6. Question
1 point(s)
A client with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder has negative feelings
toward the other clients on the unit and considers them all to be “bad.” The nurse
understands this defense is known as:
Page 3 of 29
Questions | Mood Disorders Nursing
Exam Prep Questions and
100%Accurate Answers
1. 1. Question
The nursing diagnosis that would be most appropriate for a 22-year old client
who uses ritualistic behavior would be:
A. Ineffective coping
B. Impaired adjustment
C. Personal identity disturbance
D. Sensory/perceptual alterations
Correct Answer: A. Ineffective coping
Ineffective coping is the impairment of a person’s adaptive behaviors and
problem-solving abilities in meeting life’s demands; ritualistic behavior fits under
this category as a defining characteristic. During the beginning of treatment,
allow plenty of time for rituals. Do not be judgmental or verbalize disapproval of
the behavior. To deny the client this activity can precipitate panic level of anxiety.
2. 2. Question
A psychiatrist prescribes an anti-obsessional agent for a client who is using
ritualistic behavior. A common anti-anxiety medication used for this type of client
would be:
A. fluvoxamine (Luvox)
Correct answer
B. benztropine (Cogentin)
C. amantadine (Symmetrel)
D. diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Page 1 of 29
, Correct Answer: A. fluvoxamine (Luvox).
This drug blocks the uptake of serotonin. Fluvoxamine is used to treat obsessive-
compulsive disorder (bothersome thoughts that won’t go away and the need to
perform certain actions over and over) and social anxiety disorder (extreme fear
of interacting with others or performing in front of others that interferes with
normal life). Fluvoxamine is in a class of medications called selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works by increasing the amount of serotonin, a
natural substance in the brain that helps maintain mental balance.
3. 3. Question
A 20-year old college student has been brought to the psychiatric hospital by her
parents. Her admitting diagnosis is borderline personality disorder. When talking
with the parents, which information would the nurse expect to be included in the
client’s history? Select all that apply.
A. Impulsiveness
B. Lability of mood
C. Ritualistic behavior
D. Psychomotor retardation
E. Self-destructive behavior
Correct Answers: Answer: A, B, & E
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious psychological condition that’s
characterized by unstable moods and emotions, relationships, and behavior. It’s
one of several personality disorders recognized by the American Psychiatric
Association (APA). Personality disorders are psychological conditions that begin
in adolescence or early adulthood, continue over many years, and, when left
untreated, can cause a great deal of distress. Thankfully, the right treatments
targeted for BPD can help significantly.
4. 4. Question
A hospitalized client, diagnosed with a borderline personality disorder,
consistently breaks the unit’s rules. This behavior should be confronted because it
will help the client:
A. Control anger
Page 2 of 29
, B. Reduce anxiety
C. Set realistic goals
D. Become more self-aware
Correct Answer: D. Become more self-aware.
Client’s must first become aware of their behavior before they can change it.
Occurs after the client is aware of the behavior and has a desire to change the
behavior. Review with the client the types of cognitive distortions that affect self-
esteem (e.g., self-blame, mind reading, overgeneralization, selective inattention,
all-or-none thinking). These are the most common cognitive distortions people
use. Identifying them is the first step to correcting distortions that form one’s
self-view.
5. 5. Question
When working with the nurse during the orientation phase of the relationship, a
client with a borderline personality disorder would probably have
the most difficulty in:
A. Controlling anxiety.
B. Terminating the session on time.
C. Accepting the psychiatric diagnosis.
D. Setting mutual goals for the relationship.
Correct Answer: D. Setting mutual goals for the relationship.
Clients with borderline personality disorders frequently demonstrate a pattern of
unstable interpersonal relationships, impulsiveness, affective instability, and
frantic efforts to avoid abandonment; these behaviors usually create great
difficulty in establishing mutual goals. Set goals realistically, and renegotiate
goals frequently. Remember that a client’s negative self-view and distrust of the
world took years to develop.
6. 6. Question
1 point(s)
A client with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder has negative feelings
toward the other clients on the unit and considers them all to be “bad.” The nurse
understands this defense is known as:
Page 3 of 29
