Let's Review: Personality Disorders!

A nurse is evaluating a patient who shows a pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation. The patient avoids social interactions due to fears of criticism or rejection. Which personality disorder is most consistent with these symptoms?

• Avoidant Personality Disorder

• Antisocial Personality Disorder

• Borderline Personality Disorder

• Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

Answer explanation

The patient's symptoms of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation are characteristic of Avoidant Personality Disorder, making it the most consistent choice.

A nurse is assessing a patient who displays a pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. The patient often exaggerates achievements and expects to be recognized as superior. Which personality disorder is the patient most likely exhibiting?

• Borderline Personality Disorder

• Narcissistic Personality Disorder

• Antisocial Personality Disorder

• Avoidant Personality Disorder

Answer explanation

The patient is most likely exhibiting Narcissistic Personality Disorder due to the pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy, along with exaggerating achievements and expecting recognition as superior.

A nurse is evaluating a patient who frequently displays intense and unstable relationships, a fear of abandonment, and dramatic mood swings. The patient often engages in impulsive behaviors such as self-harm and has a history of chronic feelings of emptiness. Which personality disorder is most consistent with these symptoms?

• Histrionic Personality Disorder

• Paranoid Personality Disorder

• Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

• Borderline Personality Disorder

Answer explanation

The symptoms described are characteristic of Borderline Personality Disorder, including intense relationships, fear of abandonment, mood swings, impulsive behaviors, self-harm, and chronic feelings of emptiness.

A patient exhibits a preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control. The patient is excessively devoted to work and productivity, often at the expense of leisure activities and relationships. The patient is also rigid about rules and standards. Based on these symptoms, which personality disorder is the patient most likely experiencing?

• Histrionic Personality Disorder

• Narcissistic Personality Disorder

• Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

• Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Answer explanation

The patient's symptoms align with Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder due to preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control, along with rigidity about rules and standards.

A nurse is assessing a patient who exhibits a pattern of detachment from social relationships and a limited range of emotional expression. The patient prefers solitary activities and shows little interest in forming close relationships. Which personality disorder is the patient most likely demonstrating?

• Schizoid Personality Disorder

• Borderline Personality Disorder

• Antisocial Personality Disorder

• Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Answer explanation

The patient's pattern of detachment from social relationships and limited emotional expression align with Schizoid Personality Disorder characteristics.

A nurse is assessing a patient for signs of Histrionic Personality Disorder. Which of the following behaviors and characteristics would be consistent with this diagnosis? (Select all that apply.)

• The patient exhibits excessive emotionality and seeks constant attention.

• The patient is preoccupied with orderliness, perfectionism, and control.

• The patient has a pervasive pattern of distrust and suspicion of others

• The patient is highly suggestible

• The patient can be sexually seductive or have provocative behavior

Answer explanation

The correct choices for Histrionic Personality Disorder include excessive emotionality, seeking constant attention, being highly suggestible, and displaying sexually seductive or provocative behavior.

A nurse is developing a care plan for a patient diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Which of the following nursing interventions are appropriate for managing this patient's condition? (Select all that apply.)

• Encourage the patient to express feelings openly and validate their emotional experiences.

• Establish and maintain consistent boundaries and limits in therapeutic relationships.

• Teach the patient skills for emotional regulation and stress management.

• Avoid setting firm limits on behavior to prevent the patient from feeling abandoned.

• Use an aggressive approach to address manipulative behaviors.

Answer explanation

The appropriate nursing interventions for managing Borderline Personality Disorder include encouraging the patient to express feelings openly, establishing consistent boundaries, and teaching skills for emotional regulation.

A nurse is assessing a patient for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Which of the following signs and symptoms are indicative of BPD? (Select all that apply.)

• Fear of abandonment

• Self-destructive behaviors

• Chronic feelings of emptiness

• Impulsive self-harm

• Need for admiration

Answer explanation

Signs and symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) include fear of abandonment, self-destructive behaviors, chronic feelings of emptiness, and impulsive self-harm.

A patient displays frequent manipulation and deceit for personal gain without remorse. They might have Impulsive behavior, including physical aggression or assaults.

These patients have difficulty maintaining long-term relationships due to exploitative behavior. What personality disorder is this?