Personality Disorder Practice Questions

Questions and Answers

A therapeutic nursing intervention for a patient diagnosed with borderline personality disorder who exhibits alternating clinging and distancing behaviors would be to:

Secure a verbal contract indicating that the patient will not demonstrate these behaviors.

Rotate staff so that the patient will learn to relate to more than one person. (correct)

Withdraw attention from the patient if these behaviors continue.

Encourage the patient to establish trust in one person, with whom all therapeutic interactions take place.

Which of the following are examples of manipulative behaviors in a patient diagnosed with borderline personality disorder? (Select all that apply)

Refusal to stay in a room alone, stating, 'It is so lonely.'

Stating to the nurse, 'I really like having you for my nurse. You're the best one around here.' (correct)

Cutting arms with a plastic knife after discussing discharge plans with the psychiatrist. (correct)

Asking the nurse for Ativan, knowing the assigned nurse has explained the need to wait 1 hour for additional medication. (correct)

Splitting by the patient with borderline personality disorder indicates:

Evidence of precocious behavior.

A brief psychotic episode in which the patient loses contact with reality.

Two distinct personalities within the patient with borderline personality disorder.

A primitive defense in which the patient sees objects as all good or all bad. (correct)

Which of the following characteristics would you expect to assess in a patient with antisocial personality disorder?

Lack of guilt for wrongdoing. Signup and view all the answers

Milieu therapy is a therapeutic choice for patients with antisocial personality disorder since this therapy:

Emulates a social community in which the patient may learn to improve social engagement. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following behaviors would be considered the most significant indication of positive change in a patient diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder?

On his own initiative, the patient wrote a note of apology to another patient he had injured in a physical altercation. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following behavioral patterns is characteristic of individuals with narcissistic personality disorder?

Overly self-centered and exploitative of others. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following behavioral patterns is characteristic of individuals with schizotypal personality disorder?

A lifelong pattern of social withdrawal. Signup and view all the answers

Which intervention would be most therapeutic for a patient diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder who has a nursing diagnosis of Defensive coping related to manipulation of others?

Refer requests and questions related to care to the primary care nurse. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Borderline Personality Disorder

Patients often show alternating clinging and distancing behaviors; best intervention involves rotating staff to help them relate to multiple individuals.
Manipulative behaviors include requesting medication despite knowing the wait time, flattery towards nursing staff, and self-harm after discussing discharge.

Splitting

Splitting is a defense mechanism wherein individuals perceive others as entirely good or bad, indicative of primitive coping strategies.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Key characteristic includes a lack of guilt for wrongdoings, unlike insight or compliance with authority.
Milieu therapy fosters social engagement in a structured community setting, beneficial for these patients.
A significant positive change is observed when a patient apologizes for past harm, showing recognition of the impact of their actions.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Individuals are typically self-centered and exploit others, indicating a need for admiration and validation.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Characterized by a lifelong pattern of social withdrawal, patients may exhibit behavior that reflects discomfort in social situations.

Defensive Coping

A therapeutic intervention for defensive coping due to manipulation includes referring care-related questions to primary care providers rather than confronting undesired behaviors directly.

Description

Test your knowledge on the characteristics and nursing interventions for various personality disorders. This quiz is designed to help you understand the complexities of borderline personality disorder and improve your therapeutic skills. Practice with flashcards to reinforce learning.