PERSONALITY DISORDERS NCLEX EXAM
PERSONALITY DISORDERS NCLEX
EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
GRADED A+
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?
1. You are very disrespectful. You need to learn to control yourself.
2. I understand that you are angry, but this behavior will not be tolerated.
3. What behaviors could you modify to improve this situation?
4. What anti-personality disorder medications have helped you in the past? -Correct
Answer ✔2 ~ The appropriate nursing response is to reflect the clients feeling while
setting firm limits on behavior. Clients diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder
have a low tolerance for frustration, see themselves as victims, and use projection as a
primary ego defense mechanism.
Define egosyntonic -Correct Answer ✔In psychoanalysis, egosyntonic refers to the
behaviors, values, and feelings that are in harmony with or acceptable to the needs and
goals of the ego, or consistent with one's ideal self-image.
Define egodystonic -Correct Answer ✔Egodystonic (or ego alien) is the opposite,
referring to thoughts and behaviors (dreams, compulsions, desires, etc.) that are in
conflict, or dissonant, with the needs and goals of the ego, or, further, in conflict with a
person's ideal self-image.
At 11:00 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
10:00 p.m. Which nursing response is most appropriate?
1. Go ahead and use the phone. I know this pending divorce is stressful.
2. You know better than to break the rules. I'm surprised at you.
3. It is after the 10:00 p.m. phone curfew. You will be able to call tomorrow.
4. A divorce shouldn't be considered until you have had a good nights sleep. -Correct
Answer ✔3 ~ The most appropriate response by the staff is to restate the unit rules in a
calm, assertive manner. The nurse can encourage the client to verbalize frustration
while maintaining an accepting attitude. The nurse may also help the client to identify
the true source of frustration.
A client diagnosed with paranoid personality disorder becomes violent on a unit. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate?
1. Provide objective evidence that reasons for violence are unwarranted.
2. Initially restrain the client to maintain safety.
3. Use clear, calm statements and a confident physical stance.
PERSONALITY DISORDERS NCLEX EXAM
,PERSONALITY DISORDERS NCLEX EXAM
4. Empathize with the clients paranoid perceptions. -Correct Answer ✔3 ~ The most
appropriate nursing intervention is to use clear, calm statements and to assume a
confident physical stance. A calm attitude provides the client with a feeling of safety and
security. It may also be beneficial to have sufficient staff on hand to present a show of
strength.
A client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder brings up a conflict with the staff
in a community meeting and develops a following of clients who unreasonably demand
modification of unit rules. How can the nursing staff best handle this situation?
1. Allow the clients to apply the democratic process when developing unit rules.
2. Maintain consistency of care by open communication to avoid staff manipulation.
3. Allow the client spokesman to verbalize concerns during a unit staff meeting.
4. Maintain unit order by the application of autocratic leadership. -Correct Answer ✔2 ~
The nursing staff can best handle this situation by maintaining consistency of care by
open communication to avoid staff manipulation. Clients with borderline personality
disorder can exhibit negative patterns of interaction, such as clinging and distancing,
splitting, manipulation, and self-destructive behaviors.
Which nursing approach should be used to maintain a therapeutic relationship with a
client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder?
1. Being firm, consistent, and empathic, while addressing specific client behaviors
2. Promoting client self-expression by implementing laissez-faire leadership
3. Using authoritative leadership to help clients learn to conform to society norms
4. Overlooking inappropriate behaviors to avoid providing secondary gains -Correct
Answer ✔1 ~ The best nursing approach when working with a client diagnosed with
borderline personality disorder is to be firm, consistent, and empathetic while
addressing specific client behaviors. Individuals with borderline personality disorder
always seem to be in a state of crisis and can often have negative patterns of
interaction, such as manipulation and splitting.
Which adult client should a nurse identify as exhibiting the characteristics of a
dependent personality disorder?
1. A physically healthy client who is dependent on meeting social needs by contact with
15 cats
2. A physically healthy client who has a history of depending on intense relationships to
meet basic needs
3. A physically healthy client who lives with parents & depends on public transportation
4. A physically healthy client who is serious, inflexible, perfectionistic, lacks spontaneity
& depends on rules to provide security -Correct Answer ✔3 ~ A physically healthy adult
client who lives with parents and depends on public transportation exhibits signs of
dependent personality disorder. Dependent personality disorder is characterized by a
pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of that leads to submissive and clinging
behaviors.
PERSONALITY DISORDERS NCLEX EXAM
, PERSONALITY DISORDERS NCLEX EXAM
A client expresses low self-worth, has much difficulty making decisions, avoids positions
of responsibility & has a behavioral pattern of suffering in silence. Which statement best
explains the etiology of this clients personality disorder?
1. Childhood nurturance was provided from many sources, and independent behaviors
were encouraged.
2. Childhood nurturance was provided exclusively from one source, and independent
behaviors were discouraged.
3. Childhood nurturance was provided exclusively from one source, and independent
behaviors were encouraged.
4. Childhood nurturance was provided from many sources, and independent behaviors
were discouraged. -Correct Answer ✔2 ~ The behaviors presented in the question
represent symptoms of dependent personality disorder. Nurturance provided from one
source & discouragement of independent behaviors can contribute to the development
of this personality disorder. Dependent behaviors may be rewarded by a parent who is
overprotective & discourages autonomy.
Family members of a client ask the nurse to explain the difference between schizoid &
avoidant personality disorders. Which is the appropriate nursing response?
1. Clients diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder desire intimacy but fear it, and
clients diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder prefer to be alone.
2. Clients diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder exhibit delusions and
hallucinations, while clients diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder do not.
3. Clients diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder are eccentric, and clients
diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder are dull and vacant.
4. Clients diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder have a history of psychosis,
while clients diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder remain based in reality. -
Correct Answer ✔1 ~ The nurse should educate the family that clients diagnosed with
avoidant personality disorder desire intimacy but fear it, while clients diagnosed with
schizoid personality disorder prefer to be alone. Schizoid personality disorder is
characterized by a profound deficit in the ability to form personal relationships. Clients
diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder may exhibit odd and eccentric behaviors
but not to the extent of psychosis.
Which nursing diagnosis should a nurse identify as appropriate when working with a
client diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder?
1. Altered thought processes R/T increased stress
2. Risk for suicide R/T loneliness
3. Risk for violence: directed toward others R/T paranoid thinking
4. Social isolation R/T inability to relate to others -Correct Answer ✔4 ~ An appropriate
nursing diagnosis when working with a client diagnosed with schizoid personality
disorder is social isolation R/T inability to relate to others. Clients diagnosed with
schizoid personality disorder appear cold, aloof & indifferent to others. They prefer to
work in isolation & are not sociable.
PERSONALITY DISORDERS NCLEX EXAM
PERSONALITY DISORDERS NCLEX
EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
GRADED A+
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?
1. You are very disrespectful. You need to learn to control yourself.
2. I understand that you are angry, but this behavior will not be tolerated.
3. What behaviors could you modify to improve this situation?
4. What anti-personality disorder medications have helped you in the past? -Correct
Answer ✔2 ~ The appropriate nursing response is to reflect the clients feeling while
setting firm limits on behavior. Clients diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder
have a low tolerance for frustration, see themselves as victims, and use projection as a
primary ego defense mechanism.
Define egosyntonic -Correct Answer ✔In psychoanalysis, egosyntonic refers to the
behaviors, values, and feelings that are in harmony with or acceptable to the needs and
goals of the ego, or consistent with one's ideal self-image.
Define egodystonic -Correct Answer ✔Egodystonic (or ego alien) is the opposite,
referring to thoughts and behaviors (dreams, compulsions, desires, etc.) that are in
conflict, or dissonant, with the needs and goals of the ego, or, further, in conflict with a
person's ideal self-image.
At 11:00 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
10:00 p.m. Which nursing response is most appropriate?
1. Go ahead and use the phone. I know this pending divorce is stressful.
2. You know better than to break the rules. I'm surprised at you.
3. It is after the 10:00 p.m. phone curfew. You will be able to call tomorrow.
4. A divorce shouldn't be considered until you have had a good nights sleep. -Correct
Answer ✔3 ~ The most appropriate response by the staff is to restate the unit rules in a
calm, assertive manner. The nurse can encourage the client to verbalize frustration
while maintaining an accepting attitude. The nurse may also help the client to identify
the true source of frustration.
A client diagnosed with paranoid personality disorder becomes violent on a unit. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate?
1. Provide objective evidence that reasons for violence are unwarranted.
2. Initially restrain the client to maintain safety.
3. Use clear, calm statements and a confident physical stance.
PERSONALITY DISORDERS NCLEX EXAM
,PERSONALITY DISORDERS NCLEX EXAM
4. Empathize with the clients paranoid perceptions. -Correct Answer ✔3 ~ The most
appropriate nursing intervention is to use clear, calm statements and to assume a
confident physical stance. A calm attitude provides the client with a feeling of safety and
security. It may also be beneficial to have sufficient staff on hand to present a show of
strength.
A client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder brings up a conflict with the staff
in a community meeting and develops a following of clients who unreasonably demand
modification of unit rules. How can the nursing staff best handle this situation?
1. Allow the clients to apply the democratic process when developing unit rules.
2. Maintain consistency of care by open communication to avoid staff manipulation.
3. Allow the client spokesman to verbalize concerns during a unit staff meeting.
4. Maintain unit order by the application of autocratic leadership. -Correct Answer ✔2 ~
The nursing staff can best handle this situation by maintaining consistency of care by
open communication to avoid staff manipulation. Clients with borderline personality
disorder can exhibit negative patterns of interaction, such as clinging and distancing,
splitting, manipulation, and self-destructive behaviors.
Which nursing approach should be used to maintain a therapeutic relationship with a
client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder?
1. Being firm, consistent, and empathic, while addressing specific client behaviors
2. Promoting client self-expression by implementing laissez-faire leadership
3. Using authoritative leadership to help clients learn to conform to society norms
4. Overlooking inappropriate behaviors to avoid providing secondary gains -Correct
Answer ✔1 ~ The best nursing approach when working with a client diagnosed with
borderline personality disorder is to be firm, consistent, and empathetic while
addressing specific client behaviors. Individuals with borderline personality disorder
always seem to be in a state of crisis and can often have negative patterns of
interaction, such as manipulation and splitting.
Which adult client should a nurse identify as exhibiting the characteristics of a
dependent personality disorder?
1. A physically healthy client who is dependent on meeting social needs by contact with
15 cats
2. A physically healthy client who has a history of depending on intense relationships to
meet basic needs
3. A physically healthy client who lives with parents & depends on public transportation
4. A physically healthy client who is serious, inflexible, perfectionistic, lacks spontaneity
& depends on rules to provide security -Correct Answer ✔3 ~ A physically healthy adult
client who lives with parents and depends on public transportation exhibits signs of
dependent personality disorder. Dependent personality disorder is characterized by a
pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of that leads to submissive and clinging
behaviors.
PERSONALITY DISORDERS NCLEX EXAM
, PERSONALITY DISORDERS NCLEX EXAM
A client expresses low self-worth, has much difficulty making decisions, avoids positions
of responsibility & has a behavioral pattern of suffering in silence. Which statement best
explains the etiology of this clients personality disorder?
1. Childhood nurturance was provided from many sources, and independent behaviors
were encouraged.
2. Childhood nurturance was provided exclusively from one source, and independent
behaviors were discouraged.
3. Childhood nurturance was provided exclusively from one source, and independent
behaviors were encouraged.
4. Childhood nurturance was provided from many sources, and independent behaviors
were discouraged. -Correct Answer ✔2 ~ The behaviors presented in the question
represent symptoms of dependent personality disorder. Nurturance provided from one
source & discouragement of independent behaviors can contribute to the development
of this personality disorder. Dependent behaviors may be rewarded by a parent who is
overprotective & discourages autonomy.
Family members of a client ask the nurse to explain the difference between schizoid &
avoidant personality disorders. Which is the appropriate nursing response?
1. Clients diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder desire intimacy but fear it, and
clients diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder prefer to be alone.
2. Clients diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder exhibit delusions and
hallucinations, while clients diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder do not.
3. Clients diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder are eccentric, and clients
diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder are dull and vacant.
4. Clients diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder have a history of psychosis,
while clients diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder remain based in reality. -
Correct Answer ✔1 ~ The nurse should educate the family that clients diagnosed with
avoidant personality disorder desire intimacy but fear it, while clients diagnosed with
schizoid personality disorder prefer to be alone. Schizoid personality disorder is
characterized by a profound deficit in the ability to form personal relationships. Clients
diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder may exhibit odd and eccentric behaviors
but not to the extent of psychosis.
Which nursing diagnosis should a nurse identify as appropriate when working with a
client diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder?
1. Altered thought processes R/T increased stress
2. Risk for suicide R/T loneliness
3. Risk for violence: directed toward others R/T paranoid thinking
4. Social isolation R/T inability to relate to others -Correct Answer ✔4 ~ An appropriate
nursing diagnosis when working with a client diagnosed with schizoid personality
disorder is social isolation R/T inability to relate to others. Clients diagnosed with
schizoid personality disorder appear cold, aloof & indifferent to others. They prefer to
work in isolation & are not sociable.
PERSONALITY DISORDERS NCLEX EXAM
