,NSG 221 Exam 4 | Mental Health Nursing (2026) Q&A |
Herzing University
1. Which defining characteristic is shared by all personality disorders?
A) Episodic mood swings that alternate with periods of stability
B) An enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates from
cultural expectations and causes impairment
C) A primary disturbance in perception, such as hallucinations
D) A progressive decline in memory and executive function
Correct Answer: An enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that
deviates from cultural expectations and causes impairment
Rationale: Personality disorders are defined by persistent, inflexible patterns of
thinking, feeling, and relating that deviate from cultural expectations and lead to
distress or functional impairment. Episodic mood swings suggest a mood disorder,
hallucinations suggest a psychotic disorder, and progressive decline suggests a
neurocognitive disorder.
2. Which cluster of personality disorders is characterized by odd or eccentric
behavior?
A) Cluster A
B) Cluster B
C) Cluster C
D) Cluster D
Correct Answer: Cluster A
,Rationale: Cluster A includes paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal personality
disorders, which are characterized by odd or eccentric behavior. Cluster B includes
dramatic, emotional, or erratic disorders, and Cluster C includes anxious or fearful
disorders.
3. A client with paranoid personality disorder is admitted to the unit. Which
nursing approach is most therapeutic?
A) Cheerful and overly friendly
B) Matter-of-fact and consistent
C) Playful and humorous
D) Permissive and unstructured
Correct Answer: Matter-of-fact and consistent
Rationale: Clients with paranoid personality disorder are suspicious and
distrustful, so a straightforward, consistent, matter-of-fact approach reduces
suspicion and promotes trust. Cheerfulness, humor, and permissiveness can be
misinterpreted as manipulative or threatening.
4. Which personality disorder is characterized by detachment from social
relationships and a restricted range of emotional expression?
A) Schizoid
B) Schizotypal
C) Avoidant
D) Dependent
Correct Answer: Schizoid
, Rationale: Schizoid personality disorder involves detachment from social
relationships and restricted emotional expression. Schizotypal involves social
deficits and eccentric behavior, avoidant involves hypersensitivity to rejection, and
dependent involves submissive clinging behavior.
5. Which cluster of personality disorders includes antisocial, borderline, histrionic,
and narcissistic disorders?
A) Cluster A
B) Cluster B
C) Cluster C
D) Cluster D
Correct Answer: Cluster B
Rationale: Cluster B includes antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic
personality disorders, characterized by dramatic, emotional, or erratic behavior.
Cluster A includes odd or eccentric disorders, and Cluster C includes anxious or
fearful disorders.
6. A client with antisocial personality disorder repeatedly violates unit rules.
Which nursing intervention is the priority?
A) Setting firm limits and enforcing consequences
B) Ignoring the behavior to avoid confrontation
C) Providing extra privileges to gain cooperation
D) Isolating the client from all activities
Correct Answer: Setting firm limits and enforcing consequences
Herzing University
1. Which defining characteristic is shared by all personality disorders?
A) Episodic mood swings that alternate with periods of stability
B) An enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates from
cultural expectations and causes impairment
C) A primary disturbance in perception, such as hallucinations
D) A progressive decline in memory and executive function
Correct Answer: An enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that
deviates from cultural expectations and causes impairment
Rationale: Personality disorders are defined by persistent, inflexible patterns of
thinking, feeling, and relating that deviate from cultural expectations and lead to
distress or functional impairment. Episodic mood swings suggest a mood disorder,
hallucinations suggest a psychotic disorder, and progressive decline suggests a
neurocognitive disorder.
2. Which cluster of personality disorders is characterized by odd or eccentric
behavior?
A) Cluster A
B) Cluster B
C) Cluster C
D) Cluster D
Correct Answer: Cluster A
,Rationale: Cluster A includes paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal personality
disorders, which are characterized by odd or eccentric behavior. Cluster B includes
dramatic, emotional, or erratic disorders, and Cluster C includes anxious or fearful
disorders.
3. A client with paranoid personality disorder is admitted to the unit. Which
nursing approach is most therapeutic?
A) Cheerful and overly friendly
B) Matter-of-fact and consistent
C) Playful and humorous
D) Permissive and unstructured
Correct Answer: Matter-of-fact and consistent
Rationale: Clients with paranoid personality disorder are suspicious and
distrustful, so a straightforward, consistent, matter-of-fact approach reduces
suspicion and promotes trust. Cheerfulness, humor, and permissiveness can be
misinterpreted as manipulative or threatening.
4. Which personality disorder is characterized by detachment from social
relationships and a restricted range of emotional expression?
A) Schizoid
B) Schizotypal
C) Avoidant
D) Dependent
Correct Answer: Schizoid
, Rationale: Schizoid personality disorder involves detachment from social
relationships and restricted emotional expression. Schizotypal involves social
deficits and eccentric behavior, avoidant involves hypersensitivity to rejection, and
dependent involves submissive clinging behavior.
5. Which cluster of personality disorders includes antisocial, borderline, histrionic,
and narcissistic disorders?
A) Cluster A
B) Cluster B
C) Cluster C
D) Cluster D
Correct Answer: Cluster B
Rationale: Cluster B includes antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic
personality disorders, characterized by dramatic, emotional, or erratic behavior.
Cluster A includes odd or eccentric disorders, and Cluster C includes anxious or
fearful disorders.
6. A client with antisocial personality disorder repeatedly violates unit rules.
Which nursing intervention is the priority?
A) Setting firm limits and enforcing consequences
B) Ignoring the behavior to avoid confrontation
C) Providing extra privileges to gain cooperation
D) Isolating the client from all activities
Correct Answer: Setting firm limits and enforcing consequences
