(Chapter 24 Review) Personality Disorders

Which statement made by the psychiatric nurse demonstrates an accurate understanding of the factors that affect an individual’s personality?

a. “Therapy will help her identify that her problems are personality related.”

b. “I‘ll need to learn more about this patient’s cultural beliefs.”

c. “It’s encouraging to know that personality disorders respond well to treatment.”

d. “A person’s personality is fluid and adjusts to current social situations.”

b. “I‘ll need to learn more about this patient’s cultural beliefs.”

When assessing a patient diagnosed with a borderline personality disorder, which statement by the patient warrants immediate attention?

a. “My mother died ten years ago.”

b. “I haven’t needed medication in weeks.”

c. “My dad never loved me.”

d. “I’d really like to hurt her for hurting me.”

d. “I’d really like to hurt her for hurting me.”

What is the current accepted professional view of the effect of culture on the development of a personality disorder?

a. There are not enough studies to confirm the role that ethnicity and race have on the prevalence of personality disorders

b. The North American and Australian cultures produce higher incidence of personality disorders within their populations

c. Neither cultures nor ethnic background is generally considered in the development of personality disorders

d. Personality disorders have been found to be primarily the products of genetic factors, not cultural factors

a. There are not enough studies to confirm the role that ethnicity and race have on the prevalence of personality disorders

Which personality disorders are generally associated with behaviors described as “odd or eccentric”? Select all that apply

a. Paranoid

b. Schizoid

c. Histrionic

d. Obsessive compulsive 

e. Avoidant

a. Paranoid

b. Schizoid

Which behaviors are examples of a primitive defense mechanism often relied upon by those diagnosed with a personality disorder? Select all that apply

a. Regularly attempts to split the staff

b. Attempts to undo feelings of anger by offering to do favors 

c. Regresses to rocking and humming to sooth self when fearful

d. Lashes out verbally when confronted with criticism 

e. Destroys another person’s belongings when angry 

a. Regularly attempts to split the staff

b. Attempts to undo feelings of anger by offering to do favors 

c. Regresses to rocking and humming to sooth self when fearful

Personality disorders often co-occur with mood and eating disorders. A young woman is undergoing treatment at an eating disorders clinic and her nurse suspects that she may also have a cluster B personality disorder because of her …

a. Desire to avoid eating

b. Dramatic response to frustration

c. Excessive exercise routine

d. Morose personality traits

b. Dramatic response to frustration

Larry is from a small town and began displaying aggressive and manipulative traits while still a teenager. Now 40 years old, Larry is serving a life sentence for the murder of his wife and her brother. John, the prison psychiatric nurse practitioner, recognizes that Larry’s treatment will most likely 

a. Transform Larry to a model prisoner 

b. Not improve Larry’s coping skills

c. Reaffirm Larry’s high risk behaviors

d. Manifest as small incremental changes

d. Manifest as small incremental changes

Connor is a 28-year-old student, referred by his university for a psychiatric evaluation. He reports that he has no friends at the university and that people call him a loner. Connor has recently been “giving lectures” to pigeons at the university fountains.  He is diagnosed as schizotypal, which differs from schizophrenia in that the person is diagnosed as schizotypal …

a. Can be made aware of their delusions

b. Are far more delusional than schizophrenics 

c. Have a greater need for socialization

d. Do not usually respond to antipsychotic medications 

a. Can be made aware of their delusions

Garret’s wife of 8 years is divorcing him because their marriage never developed a warm or loving atmosphere. Garret states in therapy, “I have always been a loner,” and says that he was never concerned about what others think. The nurse practitioner suggests that Garret try a trial of bupropion (Wellbutrin) to …

a. Improve his flat mood

b. Help him to get a good night’s sleep

c. Increase the pleasure of life

d.  Prepare Garret for group therapy

c. Increase the pleasure of life

Josie, a 27-yesr-old patient, complains that most of the staff do not like her. She says she can tell whether you are a caring person. Josie is unsure of what she wants to do with her life and her “mixed-up feelings” about relationships. When you tell her that you will be on vacation next week, she becomes very angry. Two hours later, she is found using a curling iron to burn her underarms and explains that it “makes the numbness stop.” Given this presentation, which personality disorder would you suspect? 

a. Obsessive-compulsive

b. Borderline

c. Antisocial

d. Schizotypal 

b. Borderline