RNSG 2213 (M.H.) - Exam 2, Modlule 7: Personality Dx & Defense
Mechanisms|Personality and Personality Disorders: Cluster A Odd-
Eccentric Schizoid, Schizotypal, Paranoid; Cluster B Dramatic-Erratic
Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic; Cluster C Anxious-Fearful
Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive; Ego-Syntonic Traits,
Maladaptive Patterns, Interpersonal Dysfunction, Impulsivity, Self-Harm,
Splitting, Emotional Dysregulation, Grandiosity, Attention-Seeking,
Manipulation, Defense Mechanisms, Coping Strategies, Repression,
Sublimation, Projection, Rationalization, Regression, Altruism,
Somatization, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Pharmacologic
Interventions, Psychotherapy, Nurse-Client Relationship, Crisis
Management, Boundary Setting, Milieu Therapy, Psychoeducation Exam
Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales
Latest Updated 2026
Personality and personality disorders
Personality: deeply ingrained personal patterns of behavior, traits, and thoughts that evolve, both
consciously and unconsciously, as a person's style and way of adapting to the environment
Personality disorder: An enduring maladaptive pattern of experience and behavior that deviates
significantly from the expectations within the individual's culture.
Personality disorders:
Result in impairment and distress in everyday life (interpersonal relationships) rather than a
manifestation of clinical symptoms
Clients perceive their personality patterns as ego-syntonic (natural and comfortable) and rarely seek
treatment, externalizing the cause
Seek care usually for anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, threats, self-mutilation
,Frequently overlap and coexist with major disorders and other personality disorders; challenging to
treat
Develop before or during adolescence and persist throughout life.
Client usually remains in touch with reality and has a lack of insight on their behavior
Stress exacerbates manifestation of personality disorder
During hospitalization (e.g. borderline personality disorder) keeping patient safe by preventing self harm
is priority
The two we see more frequently in inpatient setting are borderline and antisocial personality disorders
Ten personality disorders - 3 Clusters
Cluster A Odd-eccentric
Schizoid
Schizotypal
Paranoid
Cluster B Dramatic, erratic = safety issues self/staff/ other pt.s
Antisocial
, Borderline
Histrionic
Narcissistic
Cluster C Anxious - Fearful
Avoidant
Dependent
Obsessive-compulsive
think of each cluster as a group of people you would invite to a party and how they would respond in
order to remember the mnuemonics for them that will follow per Prof Birdsong
cluster A will - PASS
cluster B will accept and make such a rucuss, they will be BAHN from ever coming again
cluster C will come but will be DOA (duds, non-contributors)
Cluster A - odd disorders
Schizoid personality disorder: lack of interest and detachment from social relationships, apathy and
restricted emotional expression, hermits
Mechanisms|Personality and Personality Disorders: Cluster A Odd-
Eccentric Schizoid, Schizotypal, Paranoid; Cluster B Dramatic-Erratic
Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic; Cluster C Anxious-Fearful
Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive; Ego-Syntonic Traits,
Maladaptive Patterns, Interpersonal Dysfunction, Impulsivity, Self-Harm,
Splitting, Emotional Dysregulation, Grandiosity, Attention-Seeking,
Manipulation, Defense Mechanisms, Coping Strategies, Repression,
Sublimation, Projection, Rationalization, Regression, Altruism,
Somatization, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Pharmacologic
Interventions, Psychotherapy, Nurse-Client Relationship, Crisis
Management, Boundary Setting, Milieu Therapy, Psychoeducation Exam
Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales
Latest Updated 2026
Personality and personality disorders
Personality: deeply ingrained personal patterns of behavior, traits, and thoughts that evolve, both
consciously and unconsciously, as a person's style and way of adapting to the environment
Personality disorder: An enduring maladaptive pattern of experience and behavior that deviates
significantly from the expectations within the individual's culture.
Personality disorders:
Result in impairment and distress in everyday life (interpersonal relationships) rather than a
manifestation of clinical symptoms
Clients perceive their personality patterns as ego-syntonic (natural and comfortable) and rarely seek
treatment, externalizing the cause
Seek care usually for anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, threats, self-mutilation
,Frequently overlap and coexist with major disorders and other personality disorders; challenging to
treat
Develop before or during adolescence and persist throughout life.
Client usually remains in touch with reality and has a lack of insight on their behavior
Stress exacerbates manifestation of personality disorder
During hospitalization (e.g. borderline personality disorder) keeping patient safe by preventing self harm
is priority
The two we see more frequently in inpatient setting are borderline and antisocial personality disorders
Ten personality disorders - 3 Clusters
Cluster A Odd-eccentric
Schizoid
Schizotypal
Paranoid
Cluster B Dramatic, erratic = safety issues self/staff/ other pt.s
Antisocial
, Borderline
Histrionic
Narcissistic
Cluster C Anxious - Fearful
Avoidant
Dependent
Obsessive-compulsive
think of each cluster as a group of people you would invite to a party and how they would respond in
order to remember the mnuemonics for them that will follow per Prof Birdsong
cluster A will - PASS
cluster B will accept and make such a rucuss, they will be BAHN from ever coming again
cluster C will come but will be DOA (duds, non-contributors)
Cluster A - odd disorders
Schizoid personality disorder: lack of interest and detachment from social relationships, apathy and
restricted emotional expression, hermits
