PERSONALITY DISORDERS NCLEX EXAM NEWEST 2024 ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE 220 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
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? - (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 - (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 - (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. - (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.
,PERSONALITY DISORDERS NCLEX EXAM NEWEST 2024 ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE 220 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
2. Initially restrain the client to maintain safety.
3. Use clear, calm statements and a confident physical stance.
4. Empathize with the clients paranoid perceptions. - (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. - (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 - (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
, PERSONALITY DISORDERS NCLEX EXAM NEWEST 2024 ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE 220 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
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 - (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.
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. - (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. - (answer) 1 ~ The nurse should
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
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? - (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 - (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 - (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. - (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.
,PERSONALITY DISORDERS NCLEX EXAM NEWEST 2024 ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE 220 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
2. Initially restrain the client to maintain safety.
3. Use clear, calm statements and a confident physical stance.
4. Empathize with the clients paranoid perceptions. - (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. - (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 - (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
, PERSONALITY DISORDERS NCLEX EXAM NEWEST 2024 ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE 220 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
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 - (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.
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. - (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. - (answer) 1 ~ The nurse should
