NR 547 Week 7: Differential Diagnosis in Psychiatric-Mental Health
and Cardiovascular Pharmacology.100 Questions & Answers
Section 1: Personality Disorder Fundamentals & Cluster A
1. At what age can a diagnosis of a personality disorder be officially applied?
o A) 13
o B) 16
o C) 18
o D) 21
o Rationale: Diagnosis is only applicable to individuals 18 or older
because personalities are still developing in those under 18.
2. Which cluster of personality disorders is characterized by odd or eccentric
behavior?
o A) Cluster A
o B) Cluster B
o C) Cluster C
o D) Cluster D
o Rationale: Cluster A personality disorders are characterized by odd or
eccentric thinking or behavior.
3. What percentage of psychiatric clients are estimated to have a personality
disorder?
o A) 9.1%
o B) 25%
o C) 50%
o D) 84.5%
, o Rationale: Personality disorders occur in about 10-20% of the general
population and about 50% of psychiatric clients.
4. A personality disorder diagnosis requires an enduring pattern that
deviates from cultural expectations in at least how many areas?
o A) 1
o B) 2
o C) 3
o D) 4
o Rationale: The pattern must affect at least two areas: thinking
(cognition), emotional response (affectivity), relating to others, or
behavior control.
5. Which disorder involves a pervasive mistrust and suspicion of others and
their motives?
o A) Schizoid
o B) Schizotypal
o C) Paranoid
o D) Antisocial
o Rationale: Paranoid personality disorder involves long-standing,
pervasive mistrust or suspicion of others.
6. Rico, age 30, constantly accuses his wife of cheating and monitors her
phone, though he has only acted this way for one year. Why might he NOT
meet the criteria for Paranoid PD?
o A) He is too old for the diagnosis.
o B) Symptoms must be present by early adulthood and in various
contexts.
o C) His wife is actually cheating.
, o D) He doesn't have a history of violence.
o Rationale: Diagnosis requires the presence of symptoms by early
adulthood and in a variety of contexts.
7. Crispin prefers solitary activities, lacks close friends, and has no interest in
sexual experiences. This pattern has existed since adolescence. What is
the most likely diagnosis?
o A) Avoidant PD
o B) Schizoid PD
o C) Schizotypal PD
o D) Social Anxiety Disorder
o Rationale: Schizoid PD is characterized by detachment from social
relationships, preference for solitary activities, and lack of interest in
sex.
8. What may occur in clients with Schizoid Personality Disorder during
periods of extreme stress?
o A) Grandiose outbursts
o B) Brief psychotic episodes
o C) Panic attacks
o D) Manic episodes
o Rationale: Clients with a schizoid personality disorder may have brief
periods of psychotic episodes when stressed.
9. Heloise exhibits magical thinking, ideas of reference, and dresses
peculiarly. She has felt this way since high school. What is the diagnosis?
o A) Schizoid PD
o B) Schizotypal PD
o C) Borderline PD
, o D) Histrionic PD
o Rationale: Schizotypal PD involves magical thinking, unusual
perceptual experiences, odd appearance, and speech patterns.
10.How does Schizotypal PD differ from Schizoid PD?
o A) Schizotypal involves total social withdrawal.
o B) Schizotypal includes distorted thinking and eccentric behavior.
o C) Schizoid involves magical thinking.
o D) They are the same diagnosis.
o Rationale: Schizotypal PD is a pattern of being very uncomfortable in
close relationships, having distorted thinking, and eccentric behavior.
11.Which trait is commonly seen in Paranoid Personality Disorder?
o A) Excessive remorse for mistakes.
o B) Refusal to take responsibility for one's own feelings.
o C) Seeking constant praise from others.
o D) Submissive and clingy behavior.
o Rationale: Those with Paranoid PD may refuse to take responsibility
for their feelings, often assigning it to others.
12.Cluster A symptoms typically begin no later than which stage of life?
o A) Childhood
o B) Early adulthood
o C) Middle age
o D) Late adulthood
o Rationale: Symptoms of personality disorders begin no later than
early adulthood.
and Cardiovascular Pharmacology.100 Questions & Answers
Section 1: Personality Disorder Fundamentals & Cluster A
1. At what age can a diagnosis of a personality disorder be officially applied?
o A) 13
o B) 16
o C) 18
o D) 21
o Rationale: Diagnosis is only applicable to individuals 18 or older
because personalities are still developing in those under 18.
2. Which cluster of personality disorders is characterized by odd or eccentric
behavior?
o A) Cluster A
o B) Cluster B
o C) Cluster C
o D) Cluster D
o Rationale: Cluster A personality disorders are characterized by odd or
eccentric thinking or behavior.
3. What percentage of psychiatric clients are estimated to have a personality
disorder?
o A) 9.1%
o B) 25%
o C) 50%
o D) 84.5%
, o Rationale: Personality disorders occur in about 10-20% of the general
population and about 50% of psychiatric clients.
4. A personality disorder diagnosis requires an enduring pattern that
deviates from cultural expectations in at least how many areas?
o A) 1
o B) 2
o C) 3
o D) 4
o Rationale: The pattern must affect at least two areas: thinking
(cognition), emotional response (affectivity), relating to others, or
behavior control.
5. Which disorder involves a pervasive mistrust and suspicion of others and
their motives?
o A) Schizoid
o B) Schizotypal
o C) Paranoid
o D) Antisocial
o Rationale: Paranoid personality disorder involves long-standing,
pervasive mistrust or suspicion of others.
6. Rico, age 30, constantly accuses his wife of cheating and monitors her
phone, though he has only acted this way for one year. Why might he NOT
meet the criteria for Paranoid PD?
o A) He is too old for the diagnosis.
o B) Symptoms must be present by early adulthood and in various
contexts.
o C) His wife is actually cheating.
, o D) He doesn't have a history of violence.
o Rationale: Diagnosis requires the presence of symptoms by early
adulthood and in a variety of contexts.
7. Crispin prefers solitary activities, lacks close friends, and has no interest in
sexual experiences. This pattern has existed since adolescence. What is
the most likely diagnosis?
o A) Avoidant PD
o B) Schizoid PD
o C) Schizotypal PD
o D) Social Anxiety Disorder
o Rationale: Schizoid PD is characterized by detachment from social
relationships, preference for solitary activities, and lack of interest in
sex.
8. What may occur in clients with Schizoid Personality Disorder during
periods of extreme stress?
o A) Grandiose outbursts
o B) Brief psychotic episodes
o C) Panic attacks
o D) Manic episodes
o Rationale: Clients with a schizoid personality disorder may have brief
periods of psychotic episodes when stressed.
9. Heloise exhibits magical thinking, ideas of reference, and dresses
peculiarly. She has felt this way since high school. What is the diagnosis?
o A) Schizoid PD
o B) Schizotypal PD
o C) Borderline PD
, o D) Histrionic PD
o Rationale: Schizotypal PD involves magical thinking, unusual
perceptual experiences, odd appearance, and speech patterns.
10.How does Schizotypal PD differ from Schizoid PD?
o A) Schizotypal involves total social withdrawal.
o B) Schizotypal includes distorted thinking and eccentric behavior.
o C) Schizoid involves magical thinking.
o D) They are the same diagnosis.
o Rationale: Schizotypal PD is a pattern of being very uncomfortable in
close relationships, having distorted thinking, and eccentric behavior.
11.Which trait is commonly seen in Paranoid Personality Disorder?
o A) Excessive remorse for mistakes.
o B) Refusal to take responsibility for one's own feelings.
o C) Seeking constant praise from others.
o D) Submissive and clingy behavior.
o Rationale: Those with Paranoid PD may refuse to take responsibility
for their feelings, often assigning it to others.
12.Cluster A symptoms typically begin no later than which stage of life?
o A) Childhood
o B) Early adulthood
o C) Middle age
o D) Late adulthood
o Rationale: Symptoms of personality disorders begin no later than
early adulthood.
