NUR 253 EXAM 4 -CONCEPTS OF MENTAL HEALTH
NURSING |ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
During an assessment interview, a client diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder
spits, curses, and refuses to answer questions. Which is the appropriate nursing response
to this behavior?
1. You are very disrespectful. You need to learn to control yourself.
2. I understand that you are angry, but this behavior will not be tolerated.
3. What behaviors could you modify to improve this situation?
4. What anti-personality disorder medications
CORRECT ANSWER
ANS: 2
Rationale: The appropriate nursing response is to reflect the clients feeling while setting
firm limits on behavior. Clients diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder have a low
tolerance for frustration, see themselves as victims, and use projection as a primary ego
defense mechanism.
Question 2
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.
1
,CORRECT ANSWER
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.
Question 3
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.
CORRECT ANSWER
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.
Question 4
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
,CORRECT ANSWER
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.
Question 5
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
CORRECT ANSWER
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.
Question 6
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
3
, 4. A physically healthy client who is serious, inflexible, perfectionistic, lacks spontaneity, and
depends on rules to provide security
CORRECT ANSWER
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.
Question 7
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.
CORRECT ANSWER
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.
Question 8
4
NURSING |ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
During an assessment interview, a client diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder
spits, curses, and refuses to answer questions. Which is the appropriate nursing response
to this behavior?
1. You are very disrespectful. You need to learn to control yourself.
2. I understand that you are angry, but this behavior will not be tolerated.
3. What behaviors could you modify to improve this situation?
4. What anti-personality disorder medications
CORRECT ANSWER
ANS: 2
Rationale: The appropriate nursing response is to reflect the clients feeling while setting
firm limits on behavior. Clients diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder have a low
tolerance for frustration, see themselves as victims, and use projection as a primary ego
defense mechanism.
Question 2
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.
1
,CORRECT ANSWER
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.
Question 3
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.
CORRECT ANSWER
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.
Question 4
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
,CORRECT ANSWER
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.
Question 5
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
CORRECT ANSWER
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.
Question 6
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
3
, 4. A physically healthy client who is serious, inflexible, perfectionistic, lacks spontaneity, and
depends on rules to provide security
CORRECT ANSWER
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.
Question 7
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.
CORRECT ANSWER
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.
Question 8
4
