A nurse enters the room of a male patient who exhibits suspicious behavior.

The patient yells, “Stay away from my closet!” What is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take?

Choice A rationale
Personality disorders are characterized by enduring maladaptive patterns of behavior, cognition, and inner experience, exhibited across many contexts and deviating from those accepted by the individual’s culture. These patterns develop early, are inflexible, and are associated with significant distress or disability. However, the behaviors described in the question are not specific to personality disorders.
Choice B rationale
Affective disorders, also known as mood disorders, involve persistent feelings of sadness or periods of feeling overly happy, or fluctuations from extreme happiness to extreme sadness. The behaviors mentioned in the question do not align with the symptoms of affective disorders.
Choice C rationale
Dysfunctional disorder is not a recognized term in psychiatric diagnosis. Therefore, it cannot be the correct answer.
Choice D rationale
Conduct disorder is a mental health condition that affects children and teens. People with this condition persistently display severely antisocial and aggressive behaviors. They may bully others, be abusive to small animals, lie, steal, drink alcohol, use drugs, or skip school, often before their teenage years. The behaviors described in the question align with the symptoms of conduct disorder.

Choice A rationale
Sympathy refers to the ability to understand what a person is feeling. However, it doesn’t necessarily involve sharing in a client’s life.
Choice B rationale
Trust is an essential component of a therapeutic relationship, but it doesn’t specifically define the ability to share in a client’s life.
Choice C rationale
Mutuality might suggest a reciprocal relationship, but it doesn’t specifically refer to the ability to share in a client’s life.
Choice D rationale
Empathy in nursing is the ability to see, understand, and share your patient’s feelings and views on a more personal level and without being judgmental. This makes it the most fitting answer as it involves sharing in a client’s life.