NURS 222 Week 9: Personality, Eating, and Somatic Symptom
Disorders 2026 |WCU
1. A client with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is observed being
exceptionally friendly to one nurse while behaving aggressively and dismissively
toward another. Which defense mechanism is this client primarily using?
A. Reaction formation
B. Splitting
C. Projection
D. Sublimation
Answer: B
Rationale: Splitting is a hallmark of BPD where the individual views others as all good or
all bad, unable to integrate positive and negative qualities into a cohesive image.
2. When planning care for a client diagnosed with Antisocial Personality
Disorder, which nursing intervention should be prioritized?
A. Setting clear, consistent limits on manipulative behavior
B. Encouraging the client to lead group therapy sessions
C. Allowing the client to negotiate the unit rules
D. Providing a highly stimulating environment
Answer: A
Rationale: Clients with Antisocial Personality Disorder often use manipulation; setting
clear, consistent, and firm limits is essential for safety and therapeutic structure.
,3. A client is admitted to the medical unit with a BMI of 15.8, bradycardia, and
lanugo. Which eating disorder is most consistent with these clinical findings?
A. Binge Eating Disorder
B. Anorexia Nervosa
C. Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
D. Bulimia Nervosa
Answer: B
Rationale: Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by significantly low body weight, intense
fear of gaining weight, and physical signs such as lanugo and bradycardia due to starvation.
4. Which personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of social
inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation?
A. Avoidant Personality Disorder
B. Schizoid Personality Disorder
C. Dependent Personality Disorder
D. Histrionic Personality Disorder
Answer: A
Rationale: Avoidant Personality Disorder involves extreme shyness and fear of rejection,
unlike Schizoid, where the individual usually lacks the desire for social relationships.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with Somatic Symptom Disorder. What is the
primary focus of nursing care for this patient?
A. Confronting the client about the psychological origin of their pain
B. Eliminating all physical complaints immediately
C. Providing extensive medical testing for every new complaint
D. Shifting the focus from somatic symptoms to expression of feelings
Answer: D
, Rationale: The goal is to help the client identify and express underlying emotions rather
than focusing solely on physical symptoms, which are often a manifestation of
psychological distress.
6. A client exhibits ‘la belle indifférence’ regarding a sudden onset of blindness
that has no neurological basis. This finding is most characteristic of which
disorder?
A. Conversion Disorder
B. Illness Anxiety Disorder
C. Factitious Disorder
D. Panic Disorder
Answer: A
Rationale: La belle indifférence is a relative lack of concern about a severe functional loss
(like blindness or paralysis), often seen in Conversion Disorder.
7. What is the most serious complication associated with the refeeding process
in a severely malnourished client with Anorexia Nervosa?
A. Metabolic Alkalosis
B. Hypovolemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Refeeding Syndrome
Answer: D
Rationale: Refeeding syndrome is a potentially fatal shift in fluids and electrolytes
(specifically phosphate) that occurs when malnourished patients receive artificial
refeeding.
Disorders 2026 |WCU
1. A client with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is observed being
exceptionally friendly to one nurse while behaving aggressively and dismissively
toward another. Which defense mechanism is this client primarily using?
A. Reaction formation
B. Splitting
C. Projection
D. Sublimation
Answer: B
Rationale: Splitting is a hallmark of BPD where the individual views others as all good or
all bad, unable to integrate positive and negative qualities into a cohesive image.
2. When planning care for a client diagnosed with Antisocial Personality
Disorder, which nursing intervention should be prioritized?
A. Setting clear, consistent limits on manipulative behavior
B. Encouraging the client to lead group therapy sessions
C. Allowing the client to negotiate the unit rules
D. Providing a highly stimulating environment
Answer: A
Rationale: Clients with Antisocial Personality Disorder often use manipulation; setting
clear, consistent, and firm limits is essential for safety and therapeutic structure.
,3. A client is admitted to the medical unit with a BMI of 15.8, bradycardia, and
lanugo. Which eating disorder is most consistent with these clinical findings?
A. Binge Eating Disorder
B. Anorexia Nervosa
C. Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
D. Bulimia Nervosa
Answer: B
Rationale: Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by significantly low body weight, intense
fear of gaining weight, and physical signs such as lanugo and bradycardia due to starvation.
4. Which personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of social
inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation?
A. Avoidant Personality Disorder
B. Schizoid Personality Disorder
C. Dependent Personality Disorder
D. Histrionic Personality Disorder
Answer: A
Rationale: Avoidant Personality Disorder involves extreme shyness and fear of rejection,
unlike Schizoid, where the individual usually lacks the desire for social relationships.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with Somatic Symptom Disorder. What is the
primary focus of nursing care for this patient?
A. Confronting the client about the psychological origin of their pain
B. Eliminating all physical complaints immediately
C. Providing extensive medical testing for every new complaint
D. Shifting the focus from somatic symptoms to expression of feelings
Answer: D
, Rationale: The goal is to help the client identify and express underlying emotions rather
than focusing solely on physical symptoms, which are often a manifestation of
psychological distress.
6. A client exhibits ‘la belle indifférence’ regarding a sudden onset of blindness
that has no neurological basis. This finding is most characteristic of which
disorder?
A. Conversion Disorder
B. Illness Anxiety Disorder
C. Factitious Disorder
D. Panic Disorder
Answer: A
Rationale: La belle indifférence is a relative lack of concern about a severe functional loss
(like blindness or paralysis), often seen in Conversion Disorder.
7. What is the most serious complication associated with the refeeding process
in a severely malnourished client with Anorexia Nervosa?
A. Metabolic Alkalosis
B. Hypovolemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Refeeding Syndrome
Answer: D
Rationale: Refeeding syndrome is a potentially fatal shift in fluids and electrolytes
(specifically phosphate) that occurs when malnourished patients receive artificial
refeeding.
