COUC 546 Exam 3 V1 | COUC 546 Psychopathology | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (COUC546 Exam 3) | Liberty University
1. A client demonstrates a pervasive pattern of distrust and suspiciousness of others such
that their motives are interpreted as malevolent. Which diagnosis is most appropriate?
A. Paranoid Personality Disorder
B. Antisocial Personality Disorder
C. Schizoid Personality Disorder
D. Avoidant Personality Disorder
Answer: A
Explanation: Paranoid Personality Disorder involves a pervasive distrust where even
benign remarks are interpreted as demeaning or threatening. The individual typically
bears grudges and is reluctant to confide in others due to fear of betrayal. This condition is
categorized under Cluster A personality disorders in the DSM-5.
2. Which disorder is characterized by a pattern of detachment from social relationships and a
restricted range of expression of emotions in interpersonal settings?
A. Schizotypal Personality Disorder
B. Schizoid Personality Disorder
C. Narcissistic Personality Disorder
D. Borderline Personality Disorder
Answer: B
Explanation: Schizoid Personality Disorder is defined by a lack of desire for close
relationships and a preference for solitary activities. Unlike Schizotypal PD, it does not
involve cognitive or perceptual distortions or eccentricities. These individuals often appear
emotionally cold or detached to others.
3. A client presents with acute discomfort in close relationships, cognitive or perceptual
distortions, and eccentricities of behavior. Which diagnosis fits this profile?
A. Schizoid Personality Disorder
B. Avoidant Personality Disorder
C. Schizotypal Personality Disorder
D. Histrionic Personality Disorder
Answer: C
,Explanation: Schizotypal Personality Disorder is characterized by social deficits and odd
beliefs or magical thinking that influences behavior. Individuals often experience ideas of
reference and unusual perceptual experiences. It is considered part of the schizophrenia
spectrum but remains a personality disorder.
4. To be diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder, the individual must be at least how
old?
A. 15 years old
B. 21 years old
C. 18 years old
D. 16 years old
Answer: C
Explanation: Antisocial Personality Disorder requires that the individual be at least 18
years of age for a formal diagnosis. Additionally, there must be evidence of Conduct
Disorder with onset before age 15. This distinction ensures that the pattern of behavior is
persistent and not just a phase of adolescence.
5. A pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects,
along with marked impulsivity, describes which disorder?
A. Borderline Personality Disorder
B. Histrionic Personality Disorder
C. Narcissistic Personality Disorder
D. Dependent Personality Disorder
Answer: A
Explanation: Borderline Personality Disorder is marked by frantic efforts to avoid real or
imagined abandonment. Individuals often struggle with chronic feelings of emptiness and
inappropriate, intense anger. It is common for these patients to engage in recurrent
suicidal behavior or self-mutilation.
6. Which disorder involves excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior, where the
individual feels uncomfortable when not the center of attention?
A. Borderline Personality Disorder
B. Narcissistic Personality Disorder
C. Histrionic Personality Disorder
D. Antisocial Personality Disorder
Answer: C
, Explanation: Histrionic Personality Disorder involves the use of physical appearance to
draw attention and a style of speech that is excessively impressionistic. Relationships are
often considered more intimate than they actually are. This disorder belongs to Cluster B,
which is characterized by dramatic and erratic behaviors.
7. A pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy is characteristic of
which personality disorder?
A. Narcissistic Personality Disorder
B. Antisocial Personality Disorder
C. Schizotypal Personality Disorder
D. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
Answer: A
Explanation: Narcissistic Personality Disorder is defined by a sense of entitlement and a
preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success or power. Individuals with this disorder
often exploit others for their own ends and exhibit arrogant behaviors. They require
constant admiration to bolster a fragile underlying self-esteem.
8. Which disorder is defined by social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity
to negative evaluation?
A. Dependent Personality Disorder
B. Schizoid Personality Disorder
C. Avoidant Personality Disorder
D. Paranoid Personality Disorder
Answer: C
Explanation: Avoidant Personality Disorder involves avoiding occupational activities that
involve significant interpersonal contact due to fears of criticism or rejection. Unlike
Schizoid PD, these individuals actually desire relationships but are paralyzed by the fear of
being disliked. They view themselves as socially inept or personally unappealing.
9. A pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of that leads to submissive and clinging
behavior describes which condition?
A. Dependent Personality Disorder
B. Avoidant Personality Disorder
C. Borderline Personality Disorder
D. Histrionic Personality Disorder
Answer: A
Rationale (COUC546 Exam 3) | Liberty University
1. A client demonstrates a pervasive pattern of distrust and suspiciousness of others such
that their motives are interpreted as malevolent. Which diagnosis is most appropriate?
A. Paranoid Personality Disorder
B. Antisocial Personality Disorder
C. Schizoid Personality Disorder
D. Avoidant Personality Disorder
Answer: A
Explanation: Paranoid Personality Disorder involves a pervasive distrust where even
benign remarks are interpreted as demeaning or threatening. The individual typically
bears grudges and is reluctant to confide in others due to fear of betrayal. This condition is
categorized under Cluster A personality disorders in the DSM-5.
2. Which disorder is characterized by a pattern of detachment from social relationships and a
restricted range of expression of emotions in interpersonal settings?
A. Schizotypal Personality Disorder
B. Schizoid Personality Disorder
C. Narcissistic Personality Disorder
D. Borderline Personality Disorder
Answer: B
Explanation: Schizoid Personality Disorder is defined by a lack of desire for close
relationships and a preference for solitary activities. Unlike Schizotypal PD, it does not
involve cognitive or perceptual distortions or eccentricities. These individuals often appear
emotionally cold or detached to others.
3. A client presents with acute discomfort in close relationships, cognitive or perceptual
distortions, and eccentricities of behavior. Which diagnosis fits this profile?
A. Schizoid Personality Disorder
B. Avoidant Personality Disorder
C. Schizotypal Personality Disorder
D. Histrionic Personality Disorder
Answer: C
,Explanation: Schizotypal Personality Disorder is characterized by social deficits and odd
beliefs or magical thinking that influences behavior. Individuals often experience ideas of
reference and unusual perceptual experiences. It is considered part of the schizophrenia
spectrum but remains a personality disorder.
4. To be diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder, the individual must be at least how
old?
A. 15 years old
B. 21 years old
C. 18 years old
D. 16 years old
Answer: C
Explanation: Antisocial Personality Disorder requires that the individual be at least 18
years of age for a formal diagnosis. Additionally, there must be evidence of Conduct
Disorder with onset before age 15. This distinction ensures that the pattern of behavior is
persistent and not just a phase of adolescence.
5. A pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects,
along with marked impulsivity, describes which disorder?
A. Borderline Personality Disorder
B. Histrionic Personality Disorder
C. Narcissistic Personality Disorder
D. Dependent Personality Disorder
Answer: A
Explanation: Borderline Personality Disorder is marked by frantic efforts to avoid real or
imagined abandonment. Individuals often struggle with chronic feelings of emptiness and
inappropriate, intense anger. It is common for these patients to engage in recurrent
suicidal behavior or self-mutilation.
6. Which disorder involves excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior, where the
individual feels uncomfortable when not the center of attention?
A. Borderline Personality Disorder
B. Narcissistic Personality Disorder
C. Histrionic Personality Disorder
D. Antisocial Personality Disorder
Answer: C
, Explanation: Histrionic Personality Disorder involves the use of physical appearance to
draw attention and a style of speech that is excessively impressionistic. Relationships are
often considered more intimate than they actually are. This disorder belongs to Cluster B,
which is characterized by dramatic and erratic behaviors.
7. A pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy is characteristic of
which personality disorder?
A. Narcissistic Personality Disorder
B. Antisocial Personality Disorder
C. Schizotypal Personality Disorder
D. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
Answer: A
Explanation: Narcissistic Personality Disorder is defined by a sense of entitlement and a
preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success or power. Individuals with this disorder
often exploit others for their own ends and exhibit arrogant behaviors. They require
constant admiration to bolster a fragile underlying self-esteem.
8. Which disorder is defined by social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity
to negative evaluation?
A. Dependent Personality Disorder
B. Schizoid Personality Disorder
C. Avoidant Personality Disorder
D. Paranoid Personality Disorder
Answer: C
Explanation: Avoidant Personality Disorder involves avoiding occupational activities that
involve significant interpersonal contact due to fears of criticism or rejection. Unlike
Schizoid PD, these individuals actually desire relationships but are paralyzed by the fear of
being disliked. They view themselves as socially inept or personally unappealing.
9. A pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of that leads to submissive and clinging
behavior describes which condition?
A. Dependent Personality Disorder
B. Avoidant Personality Disorder
C. Borderline Personality Disorder
D. Histrionic Personality Disorder
Answer: A
