Varcarolis Chapter 24 - Personality Disorders
Varcarolis_ Chapter
2026_2027
24 -Exam
Personality
Review.pdf
Disorders _ 2026_2027 Exam Review.pdf Page 1
Varcarolis Chapter 24 - Personality
Disorders | 2026/2027 Exam Review
Page 1 of 36 PageVarcarolis
1 of 36 Chapter 24 - Personality Disorders _ 2026_2027 Exam Review.pdf
,Varcarolis Chapter 24 Personality Disorders.pdf Varcarolis Chapter 24 Personality Disorders.pdf Page 2
1. A health care provider recently convicted of Medicare fraud says to a nurse, "Sure I
overbilled. Everyone takes advantage of the government. There are too many rules to follow
and I should get the money." These statements show:
a. shame.
b. suspiciousness
c. superficial remorse.
d. lack of guilt feelings.
ANS: D
Rationalization is being used to explain behavior and deny wrongdoing. The individual who
does not believe he or she has done anything wrong will not manifest anxiety, remorse, or
guilt about the act. The patient's remarks cannot be assessed as shameful. Lack of trust and
concern that others are determined to do harm is not shown.
Page 2 of 36 Page 2 of 36 Varcarolis Chapter 24 Personality Disorders.pdf
,Varcarolis Chapter 24 Personality Disorders.pdf Varcarolis Chapter 24 Personality Disorders.pdf Page 3
2. Which intervention is appropriate for an individual diagnosed with an antisocial
personality disorder who frequently manipulates others?
a. Refer requests and questions related to care to the case manager.
b. Encourage the patient to discuss feelings of fear and inferiority.
c. Provide negative reinforcement for acting-out behavior.
d. Ignore, rather than confront, inappropriate behavior.
ANS: A
Manipulative people frequently make requests of many different staff, hoping one will give
in. Having one decision maker provides consistency and avoids the potential for playing one
staff member against another. Positive reinforcement of appropriate behaviors is more
effective than negative reinforcement. The behavior should not be ignored; judicious use of
confrontation is necessary. Patients with antisocial personality disorders rarely have feelings
of fear and inferiority.
Page 3 of 36 Page 3 of 36 Varcarolis Chapter 24 Personality Disorders.pdf
, Varcarolis Chapter 24 Personality Disorders.pdf Varcarolis Chapter 24 Personality Disorders.pdf Page 4
3. As a nurse prepares to administer medication to a patient diagnosed with a borderline
personality disorder, the patient says, "Just leave it on the table. I'll take it when I finish
combing my hair." What is the nurse's best response?
a. Reinforce this assertive action by the patient. Leave the medication on the table as
requested.
b. Respond to the patient, "I'm worried that you might not take it. I'll come back later."
c. Say to the patient, "I must watch you take the medication. Please take it now."
d. Ask the patient, "Why don't you want to take your medication now?"
ANS: C
The individual with a borderline personality disorder characteristically demonstrates
manipulative, splitting, and self-destructive behaviors. Consistent limit setting is vital for the
patient's safety, but also to prevent splitting other staff. "Why" questions are not therapeutic.
See relationship to audience response question.
Page 4 of 36 Page 4 of 36 Varcarolis Chapter 24 Personality Disorders.pdf
Varcarolis_ Chapter
2026_2027
24 -Exam
Personality
Review.pdf
Disorders _ 2026_2027 Exam Review.pdf Page 1
Varcarolis Chapter 24 - Personality
Disorders | 2026/2027 Exam Review
Page 1 of 36 PageVarcarolis
1 of 36 Chapter 24 - Personality Disorders _ 2026_2027 Exam Review.pdf
,Varcarolis Chapter 24 Personality Disorders.pdf Varcarolis Chapter 24 Personality Disorders.pdf Page 2
1. A health care provider recently convicted of Medicare fraud says to a nurse, "Sure I
overbilled. Everyone takes advantage of the government. There are too many rules to follow
and I should get the money." These statements show:
a. shame.
b. suspiciousness
c. superficial remorse.
d. lack of guilt feelings.
ANS: D
Rationalization is being used to explain behavior and deny wrongdoing. The individual who
does not believe he or she has done anything wrong will not manifest anxiety, remorse, or
guilt about the act. The patient's remarks cannot be assessed as shameful. Lack of trust and
concern that others are determined to do harm is not shown.
Page 2 of 36 Page 2 of 36 Varcarolis Chapter 24 Personality Disorders.pdf
,Varcarolis Chapter 24 Personality Disorders.pdf Varcarolis Chapter 24 Personality Disorders.pdf Page 3
2. Which intervention is appropriate for an individual diagnosed with an antisocial
personality disorder who frequently manipulates others?
a. Refer requests and questions related to care to the case manager.
b. Encourage the patient to discuss feelings of fear and inferiority.
c. Provide negative reinforcement for acting-out behavior.
d. Ignore, rather than confront, inappropriate behavior.
ANS: A
Manipulative people frequently make requests of many different staff, hoping one will give
in. Having one decision maker provides consistency and avoids the potential for playing one
staff member against another. Positive reinforcement of appropriate behaviors is more
effective than negative reinforcement. The behavior should not be ignored; judicious use of
confrontation is necessary. Patients with antisocial personality disorders rarely have feelings
of fear and inferiority.
Page 3 of 36 Page 3 of 36 Varcarolis Chapter 24 Personality Disorders.pdf
, Varcarolis Chapter 24 Personality Disorders.pdf Varcarolis Chapter 24 Personality Disorders.pdf Page 4
3. As a nurse prepares to administer medication to a patient diagnosed with a borderline
personality disorder, the patient says, "Just leave it on the table. I'll take it when I finish
combing my hair." What is the nurse's best response?
a. Reinforce this assertive action by the patient. Leave the medication on the table as
requested.
b. Respond to the patient, "I'm worried that you might not take it. I'll come back later."
c. Say to the patient, "I must watch you take the medication. Please take it now."
d. Ask the patient, "Why don't you want to take your medication now?"
ANS: C
The individual with a borderline personality disorder characteristically demonstrates
manipulative, splitting, and self-destructive behaviors. Consistent limit setting is vital for the
patient's safety, but also to prevent splitting other staff. "Why" questions are not therapeutic.
See relationship to audience response question.
Page 4 of 36 Page 4 of 36 Varcarolis Chapter 24 Personality Disorders.pdf
