Mental Health Nursing: Personality, Psychotic, and Addictive Disorders

25 Question-and-Answer flashcards reviewing key concepts from chapters on personality disorders, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and substance use disorders.

How does a personality disorder differ from normal personality?

Personality disorders involve long-lasting, inflexible, maladaptive patterns that deviate from cultural expectations and cause distress/impairment, whereas normal personality traits are relatively stable and adaptive.

Into which three DSM-5 clusters are the 10 personality disorders grouped?

Cluster A (odd/eccentric), Cluster B (dramatic/erratic), and Cluster C (anxious/fearful).

Name three Cluster B personality disorders.

Borderline, Antisocial, and Narcissistic personality disorders.

What hallmark behavior characterizes Antisocial Personality Disorder?

A pattern of irresponsible, exploitative, guiltless behavior that disregards rules and the rights of others.

List two common behavioral symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder.

Clinging–distancing (unstable relationships) and manipulation such as staff-splitting to reduce anxiety or achieve goals.

What is "splitting" as seen in Borderline Personality Disorder?

A defense mechanism in which people or staff are viewed as all-good or all-bad, leading to rapid shifts in allegiance and conflict among caregivers.

Which nursing intervention is usually most appropriate with a borderline personality patient?

Set clear, consistent limits.

State one key difference between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD).

OCD is an anxiety disorder with distressing obsessions and compulsions, whereas OCPD is a personality disorder marked by rigid perfectionism and control, usually without distress over the behavior.

Define schizophrenia in simple terms.

A chronic psychotic brain disorder marked by a "split" between thought and feeling, featuring delusions, hallucinations, and impaired reality testing.

Differentiate positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Positive symptoms add abnormal experiences (e.g., hallucinations, delusions); negative symptoms are losses or deficits of normal function (e.g., social withdrawal, lack of motivation).

Give one example of a positive symptom of schizophrenia.

Auditory hallucinations.

Give one example of a negative symptom of schizophrenia.

Apathy or lack of desire to form relationships.

What age range most commonly experiences the first psychotic break of schizophrenia?

Between 16 and 35 years old; rarely after 40.

How should a nurse respond when a patient says, "There is a snake in my room" (hallucination)?

State reality and redirect: "I don’t see a snake. Let’s go to the dining room now."

Distinguish tactile from kinesthetic hallucinations.

Tactile involve sensations on the skin (e.g., insects crawling); kinesthetic involve false perceptions of body movement or position (e.g., floating).

What is the clinical term currently used for "substance abuse and dependence"?

Substance Use Disorder.

List three criteria that indicate substance use has become a disorder.

Interferes with normal functioning, continues despite negative consequences, and harms others.

What screening tool with four questions helps identify alcohol dependence?

The CAGE questionnaire (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener).

Define codependency.

Maladaptive coping in which a person enables another’s addictive behavior by protecting them from consequences.

What are co-occurring (dual-diagnosis) disorders?

The simultaneous presence of a substance use disorder and another mental illness (e.g., depression plus alcohol misuse).

Within how many hours after the last drink do seizures or delirium tremens most often appear?

Typically within 12–48 hours of cessation.

Which defense mechanism is most common in people abusing substances?

Denial.

Name one medication used as an aversive agent in alcoholism treatment.

Disulfiram (Antabuse).

What community resource uses a 12-step model for opioid or heroin users?

Narcotics Anonymous.

List three general nursing interventions helpful for patients with any personality disorder.

Promote trust, set and enforce limits, use clear therapeutic communication while confronting maladaptive behaviors.