Chapter 18 Personality Disorders
A client with antisocial personality disorder is begging to use the phone to call his wife,
even though it is against the unit rules. The client begs, ìIt is just this once, and she will
be so hurt if I don't call her.î Which would be the most appropriate response by the
nurse?
A) Only to help your wife, you can call this time.
B) I will get in trouble with my supervisor if I let you call.
C) You may not use the phone to call your wife.
D) You cannot call because you need to focus on your recovery while you are here, not
your wife - answerYou may not use the phone to call your wife
A client with borderline personality disorder says to the nurse, ìI feel so comfortable
talking with you. You seem to have a special way about you that really helps me.î Which
would be the most appropriate response by the nurse?
A) ìI'm glad you feel comfortable with me.î
B) ìI'm here to help you just as all the staffs are.î
C) ìYou feel others don't understand you?î
D) ìI cannot be your friend. We need to be clear on that. - answerI'm here to help you
just as all the staffs are
A client with dependent personality disorder has a goal to increase her problem-solving
skills. Which client behavior would indicate progress toward meeting that goal?
A) Asking questions
B) Being polite
C) Controlling emotional outbursts
D) Requesting assistance appropriately - answerAsking questions
A female client with borderline personality was formerly cooperative with the treatment
regimen. Suddenly, the client believes the staff is working against her and is refusing all
interaction and participation in treatment. The nurse feels very frustrated by this client's
behavior. What is the best action for the nurse to take regarding personal frustration
with this client?
A) Discuss the feelings of frustration with the client in a one-to-one interaction.
B) Discuss the frustration with a colleague or supervisor in a private setting.
C) Set aside the frustration and focus on reassessing the client's needs.
D) Research the client's diagnosis further to better understand the client's behaviors. -
answerDiscuss the frustration with a colleague or supervisor in a private setting.
, A nurse is teaching a client with borderline personality disorder to reshape thinking
patters. Which is an example of a cognitive restructuring technique that would be helpful
for this client?
A) When negative thoughts begin, tell yourself ìstop.î
B) Learn to look at situations realistically rather than assuming the worst.
C) Recognize negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones.
D) Express needs using ìIî statements. - answerRecognize negative thoughts and
replace them with positive ones.
A nursing student appears to cooperate with the group but does not complete agreed
upon tasks at the appropriate time repeatedly and then display negativity. The nursing
student may be showing signs of which personality disorder or behavior?
A) Paranoid
B) Borderline
C) Narcissistic
D) Passive-aggressive behavior - answerPassive-aggressive behavior
A person with temperament traits of high harm avoidance would most likely suffer from
which personality disorder?
A) Schizoid
B) Avoidant
C) Narcissistic
D) Antisocial - answerAvoidant
Clients with a schizotypal personality disorder are most likely to benefit from which
nursing intervention?
a.Cognitive restructuring techniques
b.Improving community functioning
c.Providing emotional support
d.Teaching social skills - answerImproving community functioning
Cognitive restructuring techniques include all of the following, except
a.decatastrophizing.
b.positive self-talk.
c.reframing.
d.relaxation. - answerrelaxation
Of the following personality disorders, which are most likely related to lack of caring
about others? Select all that apply.
A) Schizotypal personality disorder
B) Borderline personality disorder
C) Antisocial personality disorder
D) Narcissistic personality disorder
E) Obsessiveñcompulsive personality disorder - answerSchizotypal personality disorder
A client with antisocial personality disorder is begging to use the phone to call his wife,
even though it is against the unit rules. The client begs, ìIt is just this once, and she will
be so hurt if I don't call her.î Which would be the most appropriate response by the
nurse?
A) Only to help your wife, you can call this time.
B) I will get in trouble with my supervisor if I let you call.
C) You may not use the phone to call your wife.
D) You cannot call because you need to focus on your recovery while you are here, not
your wife - answerYou may not use the phone to call your wife
A client with borderline personality disorder says to the nurse, ìI feel so comfortable
talking with you. You seem to have a special way about you that really helps me.î Which
would be the most appropriate response by the nurse?
A) ìI'm glad you feel comfortable with me.î
B) ìI'm here to help you just as all the staffs are.î
C) ìYou feel others don't understand you?î
D) ìI cannot be your friend. We need to be clear on that. - answerI'm here to help you
just as all the staffs are
A client with dependent personality disorder has a goal to increase her problem-solving
skills. Which client behavior would indicate progress toward meeting that goal?
A) Asking questions
B) Being polite
C) Controlling emotional outbursts
D) Requesting assistance appropriately - answerAsking questions
A female client with borderline personality was formerly cooperative with the treatment
regimen. Suddenly, the client believes the staff is working against her and is refusing all
interaction and participation in treatment. The nurse feels very frustrated by this client's
behavior. What is the best action for the nurse to take regarding personal frustration
with this client?
A) Discuss the feelings of frustration with the client in a one-to-one interaction.
B) Discuss the frustration with a colleague or supervisor in a private setting.
C) Set aside the frustration and focus on reassessing the client's needs.
D) Research the client's diagnosis further to better understand the client's behaviors. -
answerDiscuss the frustration with a colleague or supervisor in a private setting.
, A nurse is teaching a client with borderline personality disorder to reshape thinking
patters. Which is an example of a cognitive restructuring technique that would be helpful
for this client?
A) When negative thoughts begin, tell yourself ìstop.î
B) Learn to look at situations realistically rather than assuming the worst.
C) Recognize negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones.
D) Express needs using ìIî statements. - answerRecognize negative thoughts and
replace them with positive ones.
A nursing student appears to cooperate with the group but does not complete agreed
upon tasks at the appropriate time repeatedly and then display negativity. The nursing
student may be showing signs of which personality disorder or behavior?
A) Paranoid
B) Borderline
C) Narcissistic
D) Passive-aggressive behavior - answerPassive-aggressive behavior
A person with temperament traits of high harm avoidance would most likely suffer from
which personality disorder?
A) Schizoid
B) Avoidant
C) Narcissistic
D) Antisocial - answerAvoidant
Clients with a schizotypal personality disorder are most likely to benefit from which
nursing intervention?
a.Cognitive restructuring techniques
b.Improving community functioning
c.Providing emotional support
d.Teaching social skills - answerImproving community functioning
Cognitive restructuring techniques include all of the following, except
a.decatastrophizing.
b.positive self-talk.
c.reframing.
d.relaxation. - answerrelaxation
Of the following personality disorders, which are most likely related to lack of caring
about others? Select all that apply.
A) Schizotypal personality disorder
B) Borderline personality disorder
C) Antisocial personality disorder
D) Narcissistic personality disorder
E) Obsessiveñcompulsive personality disorder - answerSchizotypal personality disorder
