MENTAL HEALTH TEST BANK EXAM 1 2026
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE GRADED A+
⩥At 11:00 p.m. a client diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder
demands to phone a lawyer to file for a divorce. Unit rules state that no
phone calls are permitted after 10:00 p.m. Which nursing response is
most appropriate?
1. Go ahead and use the phone. I know this pending divorce is stressful.
2. You know better than to break the rules. I'm surprised at you.
3. It is after the 10:00 p.m. phone curfew. You will be able to call
tomorrow.
4. A divorce shouldn't be considered until you have had a good nights
sleep. - 3 ~ The most appropriate response by the staff is to restate the
unit rules in a calm, assertive manner. The nurse can encourage the client
to verbalize frustration while maintaining an accepting attitude. The
nurse may also help the client to identify the true source of frustration.
⩥A client diagnosed with paranoid personality disorder becomes violent
on a unit. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
1. Provide objective evidence that reasons for violence are unwarranted.
2. Initially restrain the client to maintain safety.
3. Use clear, calm statements and a confident physical stance.
4. Empathize with the clients paranoid perceptions. - 3 ~ The most
appropriate nursing intervention is to use clear, calm statements and to
,assume a confident physical stance. A calm attitude provides the client
with a feeling of safety and security. It may also be beneficial to have
sufficient staff on hand to present a show of strength.
⩥A client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder brings up a
conflict with the staff in a community meeting and develops a following
of clients who unreasonably demand modification of unit rules. How can
the nursing staff best handle this situation?
1. Allow the clients to apply the democratic process when developing
unit rules.
2. Maintain consistency of care by open communication to avoid staff
manipulation.
3. Allow the client spokesman to verbalize concerns during a unit staff
meeting.
4. Maintain unit order by the application of autocratic leadership. - 2 ~
The nursing staff can best handle this situation by maintaining
consistency of care by open communication to avoid staff manipulation.
Clients with borderline personality disorder can exhibit negative patterns
of interaction, such as clinging and distancing, splitting, manipulation,
and self-destructive behaviors.
⩥Which nursing approach should be used to maintain a therapeutic
relationship with a client diagnosed with borderline personality
disorder?
1. Being firm, consistent, and empathic, while addressing specific client
behaviors
,2. Promoting client self-expression by implementing laissez-faire
leadership
3. Using authoritative leadership to help clients learn to conform to
society norms
4. Overlooking inappropriate behaviors to avoid providing secondary
gains - 1 ~ The best nursing approach when working with a client
diagnosed with borderline personality disorder is to be firm, consistent,
and empathetic while addressing specific client behaviors. Individuals
with borderline personality disorder always seem to be in a state of crisis
and can often have negative patterns of interaction, such as manipulation
and splitting.
⩥Which adult client should a nurse identify as exhibiting the
characteristics of a dependent personality disorder?
1. A physically healthy client who is dependent on meeting social needs
by contact with 15 cat
2. A physically healthy client who has a history of depending on intense
relationships to meet basic needs
3. A physically healthy client who lives with parents and depends on
public transportation
4. A physically healthy client who is serious, inflexible, perfectionistic,
lacks spontaneity, and depends on rules to provide security - ANS: 3
Rationale: A physically healthy adult client who lives with parents and
depends on public transportation exhibits signs of dependent personality
disorder. Dependent personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive
and excessive need to be taken care of that leads to submissive and
clinging behaviors.
, ⩥A client expresses low self-worth, has much difficulty making
decisions, avoids positions of responsibility, and has a behavioral pattern
of suffering in silence. Which statement best explains the etiology of this
clients personality disorder?
1. Childhood nurturance was provided from many sources, and
independent behaviors were encouraged.
2. Childhood nurturance was provided exclusively from one source, and
independent behaviors were discouraged.
3. Childhood nurturance was provided exclusively from one source, and
independent behaviors were encouraged.
4. Childhood nurturance was provided from many sources, and
independent behaviors were discouraged. - Ans: 2
Rationale: The behaviors presented in the question represent symptoms
of dependent personality disorder. Nurturance provided from one source
and discouragement of independent behaviors can contribute to the
development of this personality disorder. Dependent behaviors may be
rewarded by a parent who is overprotective and discourages autonomy.
⩥Family members of a client ask the nurse to explain the difference
between schizoid and avoidant personality disorders. Which is the
appropriate nursing response?
1. Clients diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder desire intimacy
but fear it, and clients diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder
prefer to be alone.
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE GRADED A+
⩥At 11:00 p.m. a client diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder
demands to phone a lawyer to file for a divorce. Unit rules state that no
phone calls are permitted after 10:00 p.m. Which nursing response is
most appropriate?
1. Go ahead and use the phone. I know this pending divorce is stressful.
2. You know better than to break the rules. I'm surprised at you.
3. It is after the 10:00 p.m. phone curfew. You will be able to call
tomorrow.
4. A divorce shouldn't be considered until you have had a good nights
sleep. - 3 ~ The most appropriate response by the staff is to restate the
unit rules in a calm, assertive manner. The nurse can encourage the client
to verbalize frustration while maintaining an accepting attitude. The
nurse may also help the client to identify the true source of frustration.
⩥A client diagnosed with paranoid personality disorder becomes violent
on a unit. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
1. Provide objective evidence that reasons for violence are unwarranted.
2. Initially restrain the client to maintain safety.
3. Use clear, calm statements and a confident physical stance.
4. Empathize with the clients paranoid perceptions. - 3 ~ The most
appropriate nursing intervention is to use clear, calm statements and to
,assume a confident physical stance. A calm attitude provides the client
with a feeling of safety and security. It may also be beneficial to have
sufficient staff on hand to present a show of strength.
⩥A client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder brings up a
conflict with the staff in a community meeting and develops a following
of clients who unreasonably demand modification of unit rules. How can
the nursing staff best handle this situation?
1. Allow the clients to apply the democratic process when developing
unit rules.
2. Maintain consistency of care by open communication to avoid staff
manipulation.
3. Allow the client spokesman to verbalize concerns during a unit staff
meeting.
4. Maintain unit order by the application of autocratic leadership. - 2 ~
The nursing staff can best handle this situation by maintaining
consistency of care by open communication to avoid staff manipulation.
Clients with borderline personality disorder can exhibit negative patterns
of interaction, such as clinging and distancing, splitting, manipulation,
and self-destructive behaviors.
⩥Which nursing approach should be used to maintain a therapeutic
relationship with a client diagnosed with borderline personality
disorder?
1. Being firm, consistent, and empathic, while addressing specific client
behaviors
,2. Promoting client self-expression by implementing laissez-faire
leadership
3. Using authoritative leadership to help clients learn to conform to
society norms
4. Overlooking inappropriate behaviors to avoid providing secondary
gains - 1 ~ The best nursing approach when working with a client
diagnosed with borderline personality disorder is to be firm, consistent,
and empathetic while addressing specific client behaviors. Individuals
with borderline personality disorder always seem to be in a state of crisis
and can often have negative patterns of interaction, such as manipulation
and splitting.
⩥Which adult client should a nurse identify as exhibiting the
characteristics of a dependent personality disorder?
1. A physically healthy client who is dependent on meeting social needs
by contact with 15 cat
2. A physically healthy client who has a history of depending on intense
relationships to meet basic needs
3. A physically healthy client who lives with parents and depends on
public transportation
4. A physically healthy client who is serious, inflexible, perfectionistic,
lacks spontaneity, and depends on rules to provide security - ANS: 3
Rationale: A physically healthy adult client who lives with parents and
depends on public transportation exhibits signs of dependent personality
disorder. Dependent personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive
and excessive need to be taken care of that leads to submissive and
clinging behaviors.
, ⩥A client expresses low self-worth, has much difficulty making
decisions, avoids positions of responsibility, and has a behavioral pattern
of suffering in silence. Which statement best explains the etiology of this
clients personality disorder?
1. Childhood nurturance was provided from many sources, and
independent behaviors were encouraged.
2. Childhood nurturance was provided exclusively from one source, and
independent behaviors were discouraged.
3. Childhood nurturance was provided exclusively from one source, and
independent behaviors were encouraged.
4. Childhood nurturance was provided from many sources, and
independent behaviors were discouraged. - Ans: 2
Rationale: The behaviors presented in the question represent symptoms
of dependent personality disorder. Nurturance provided from one source
and discouragement of independent behaviors can contribute to the
development of this personality disorder. Dependent behaviors may be
rewarded by a parent who is overprotective and discourages autonomy.
⩥Family members of a client ask the nurse to explain the difference
between schizoid and avoidant personality disorders. Which is the
appropriate nursing response?
1. Clients diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder desire intimacy
but fear it, and clients diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder
prefer to be alone.
