A 40-year-old male patient diagnosed with Schizoid Personality Disorder has been admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit. He consistently avoids group therapy, speaks minimally with staff, and prefers solitary activities. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate to support this patient’s care plan?

Assign the patient as a leader in a small group activity to build confidence and self-esteem.

Confront the patient about his avoidance behaviors and insist on more social interaction with peers.

Provide structured one-on-one interactions that respect the patient’s need for limited emotional engagement.

Encourage daily participation in group therapy to improve social skills and reduce isolation.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason: Assigning leadership in a group setting may overwhelm a patient with schizoid personality disorder, as they are uncomfortable with close social interactions. This approach could increase withdrawal.

Choice B reason: Confrontation about avoidance behaviors is not therapeutic. It may heighten resistance and increase distress rather than encourage trust or engagement.

Choice C reason: Structured one-on-one interactions allow the nurse to build rapport while respecting the patient’s preference for limited emotional involvement. This is the most appropriate approach for schizoid personality disorder.

Choice D reason: Forcing daily group therapy participation may cause stress and withdrawal, as these patients are more comfortable with solitary activities. Gentle encouragement, not insistence, is better suited.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Redirecting the focus back to the patient in a therapeutic and nonjudgmental way ensures the conversation remains centered on the client’s needs. This maintains professional boundaries while being supportive.

Choice B reason: Stating that nurses direct interviews is authoritative and may come across as rigid. It does not encourage patient openness.

Choice C reason: Responding with a prohibition sounds harsh and judgmental. It could damage rapport and shut down communication.

Choice D reason: Asking "why" can make the patient feel defensive, which is not therapeutic. It shifts the focus to justification rather than reflection.

A. Social withdrawal B. Delusional thinking C. Bizarre or disorganized behavior D. Flat affect E. Auditory hallucinations

Correct Answer is ["B","C","E"]

Explanation

Choice A reason: Social withdrawal is a negative symptom of schizophrenia, reflecting reduced engagement rather than an excess or distortion of normal function.

Choice B reason: Delusional thinking is a hallmark positive symptom, representing a distortion of reality through fixed false beliefs.

Choice C reason: Bizarre or disorganized behavior, such as unusual movements or incoherent actions, is a positive symptom reflecting disruption in normal functioning.

Choice D reason: Flat affect is a negative symptom, reflecting diminished emotional expression rather than an added or distorted behavior.

Choice E reason: Auditory hallucinations are classic positive symptoms, involving perception of voices or sounds that are not present in reality.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

During an interview, a patient attempts to shift the focus from self to the nurse by asking personal questions. The nurse should respond by saying:

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with schizophrenia who is exhibiting positive symptoms. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply.)

Correct Answer is ["B","C","E"]

Explanation

Which principle should guide the nurse in determining the extent of silence to use during patient interview sessions?

Which of the following best describes the primary function of the parietal lobe of the brain?

According to psychoanalytic theory, which of the following best describes the role of the superego in personality development and mental health?

A nurse working in a psychiatric unit discovers that a client has disclosed intentions to harm a specific person outside the hospital. Balancing ethical principles, what is the nurse’s most appropriate action?

A nursing student new to psychiatric mental health nursing asks a peer what resources he can use to figure out which symptoms are present in a specific psychiatric disorder. The best answer would be:

A nurse is providing education about strategies for a safety plan for a female client who is a victim of intimate partner violence. Which strategies should be included in the safety plan? (Select all that apply.)

A 28-year-old client with a diagnosis of Avoidant Personality Disorder tells the nurse, "I want to make friends. I'm too afraid they'll laugh at me or think I'm weak." Which nursing intervention is most appropriate to help this client begin developing healthier interpersonal relationships?