Ch 31 Personality Disorders Exam
Questions with Complete Answers
Which personality disorder does the nurse suspect in the client who is unwilling to
get involved with others, is preoccupied with being criticized, and fears ridicule?
1. Avoidant personality disorder
2. Dependent personality disorder
3. Narcissistic personality disorder
4. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder - ANSWER-1. Avoidant peronality
disorder
Which nursing intervention would be included in the care plan of a client with
antisocial personality disorder who is diagnosed with defensive coping?
1. Use mechanical restraints
2. Administer tranquilizing agents
3. Maintain a stimulating environment
4. Discuss behaviors that are acceptable according to societal norms. - ANSWER-4.
Discuss behaviors that are acceptable according to societal norms.
Which developmental events would apply to a child between 3 and 6 years old
according to Erikson's theory of personality development?
1. The child develops the ability to initiate and direct his or her own activities.
2. The child develops a basic trust in the mothering figure.
3. The child gains some independence within the environment.
4. The child develops a potential for intense and lasting relationships. - ANSWER-1.
The child develops the ability to initiate and direct his or her own activities.
Which statement by the nurse will most likely be effective while caring for a client
with antisocial personality disorder who is diagnosed with defensive coping?
1. "You should eat at 11 a.m. daily."
2. "You should not wander in the corridor."
3. "Don't go outside without my permission."
4. "You are expected to be friendly with the nursing staff." - ANSWER-4. "You are
expected to be friendly with the nursing staff."
Which personality disorder does the nurse suspect in the client with a psychiatric
illness who has made recurrent suicide attempts?
1. Borderline personality disorder
2. Antisocial personality disorder
3. Histrionic personality disorder
4. Avoidant personality disorder - ANSWER-1. Borderline personality disorder
For which reason might a client with borderline personality disorder be unable to
sense pain after an attempt to cut his or her own wrist?
, 1. Elevated levels of endorphins
2. Elevated levels of acetylcholine
3. Elevated levels of serotonin
4. Elevated levels of noradrenaline - ANSWER-1. Elevated levels of endorphins
While caring for a client with antisocial personality disorder, the nurse says to the
client, "You may go bowling this weekend if you behave properly with your
roommates." Which statement is true regarding the rationale for this nursing
intervention?
1. To reduce aggressiveness in the client
2. To make the client feel guilty
3. To help the client delay gratification
4. To be overfriendly with the client - ANSWER-3. To help the client delay
gratification
The nurse is caring for a client with borderline personality disorder who has a history
of physical abuse during childhood. The client's caregiver reports that the client is
always depressed. Which nursing intervention may lead to regression in the client?
1. Exploring the source of anger with the client
2. Acting as a role model
3. Encouraging the client to take brisk walks
4. Explaining the behaviors associated with depression to the client - ANSWER-1.
Exploring the source of anger with the client
Which disorder is suspected in a client who gets excessively anxious in group
activities, such as playing an indoor game, and is hypersensitive to negative
evaluation?
1. Schizoid personality disorder
2. Avoidant personality disorder
3. Histrionic personality disorder
4. Narcissistic personality disorder - ANSWER-2. Avoidant personality disorder
The nurse is caring for a client who self-mutilates. On assessment, the primary
health-care provider concludes that the client has borderline personality disorder and
instructs the nurse to encourage the client to verbalize fears after providing
treatment. Which positive outcome does the nurse expect to see in the client?
1. The client needs personal progression through this process.
2. The client seeks out staff when the desire for self-mutilation occurs.
3. The client gains sufficient self-control to limit maladaptive behaviors.
4. The client completes activities of daily living independently. - ANSWER-2. The
client seeks out staff when the desire for self-mutilation occurs.
After assessing the behaviors of a client with psychiatric illness, the nurse suspects
the client has borderline personality disorder with impaired social interaction. Which
findings would support the nurse's suspicion? Select all that apply.
1. The client splits on staff members.
2. The client manipulates staff members.
3. The client displays disorganized thinking.
4. The client misinterprets the environment.
Questions with Complete Answers
Which personality disorder does the nurse suspect in the client who is unwilling to
get involved with others, is preoccupied with being criticized, and fears ridicule?
1. Avoidant personality disorder
2. Dependent personality disorder
3. Narcissistic personality disorder
4. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder - ANSWER-1. Avoidant peronality
disorder
Which nursing intervention would be included in the care plan of a client with
antisocial personality disorder who is diagnosed with defensive coping?
1. Use mechanical restraints
2. Administer tranquilizing agents
3. Maintain a stimulating environment
4. Discuss behaviors that are acceptable according to societal norms. - ANSWER-4.
Discuss behaviors that are acceptable according to societal norms.
Which developmental events would apply to a child between 3 and 6 years old
according to Erikson's theory of personality development?
1. The child develops the ability to initiate and direct his or her own activities.
2. The child develops a basic trust in the mothering figure.
3. The child gains some independence within the environment.
4. The child develops a potential for intense and lasting relationships. - ANSWER-1.
The child develops the ability to initiate and direct his or her own activities.
Which statement by the nurse will most likely be effective while caring for a client
with antisocial personality disorder who is diagnosed with defensive coping?
1. "You should eat at 11 a.m. daily."
2. "You should not wander in the corridor."
3. "Don't go outside without my permission."
4. "You are expected to be friendly with the nursing staff." - ANSWER-4. "You are
expected to be friendly with the nursing staff."
Which personality disorder does the nurse suspect in the client with a psychiatric
illness who has made recurrent suicide attempts?
1. Borderline personality disorder
2. Antisocial personality disorder
3. Histrionic personality disorder
4. Avoidant personality disorder - ANSWER-1. Borderline personality disorder
For which reason might a client with borderline personality disorder be unable to
sense pain after an attempt to cut his or her own wrist?
, 1. Elevated levels of endorphins
2. Elevated levels of acetylcholine
3. Elevated levels of serotonin
4. Elevated levels of noradrenaline - ANSWER-1. Elevated levels of endorphins
While caring for a client with antisocial personality disorder, the nurse says to the
client, "You may go bowling this weekend if you behave properly with your
roommates." Which statement is true regarding the rationale for this nursing
intervention?
1. To reduce aggressiveness in the client
2. To make the client feel guilty
3. To help the client delay gratification
4. To be overfriendly with the client - ANSWER-3. To help the client delay
gratification
The nurse is caring for a client with borderline personality disorder who has a history
of physical abuse during childhood. The client's caregiver reports that the client is
always depressed. Which nursing intervention may lead to regression in the client?
1. Exploring the source of anger with the client
2. Acting as a role model
3. Encouraging the client to take brisk walks
4. Explaining the behaviors associated with depression to the client - ANSWER-1.
Exploring the source of anger with the client
Which disorder is suspected in a client who gets excessively anxious in group
activities, such as playing an indoor game, and is hypersensitive to negative
evaluation?
1. Schizoid personality disorder
2. Avoidant personality disorder
3. Histrionic personality disorder
4. Narcissistic personality disorder - ANSWER-2. Avoidant personality disorder
The nurse is caring for a client who self-mutilates. On assessment, the primary
health-care provider concludes that the client has borderline personality disorder and
instructs the nurse to encourage the client to verbalize fears after providing
treatment. Which positive outcome does the nurse expect to see in the client?
1. The client needs personal progression through this process.
2. The client seeks out staff when the desire for self-mutilation occurs.
3. The client gains sufficient self-control to limit maladaptive behaviors.
4. The client completes activities of daily living independently. - ANSWER-2. The
client seeks out staff when the desire for self-mutilation occurs.
After assessing the behaviors of a client with psychiatric illness, the nurse suspects
the client has borderline personality disorder with impaired social interaction. Which
findings would support the nurse's suspicion? Select all that apply.
1. The client splits on staff members.
2. The client manipulates staff members.
3. The client displays disorganized thinking.
4. The client misinterprets the environment.
