A nurse identifies that theA nurse is educating a newly licensed nurse about comorbidities associated with cluster B personality disorders. The nurse should identify which of the following disorders as a comorbidity of histrionic personality disorder?

Choice A reason: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions) that the individual feels the urge to repeat over and over. While OCD is a separate condition that can co-occur with many disorders, it is not commonly associated as a comorbidity with histrionic personality disorder⁴⁵.

Choice B reason: Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It is not typically associated with histrionic personality disorder, which is characterized by excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behaviors⁴⁵.

Choice C reason: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a common comorbidity with histrionic personality disorder. Individuals with histrionic personality disorder may experience high levels of anxiety, which can manifest as GAD. This anxiety often relates to fears of rejection or not being the center of attention⁴⁵.

Choice D reason: Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by an abnormally low body weight, intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted perception of body weight. It is more commonly associated with other conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive and avoidant personality disorders, rather than histrionic personality disorder⁴⁵.

Choice A reason : Bradykinesia refers to the slowness of movement and is commonly associated with Parkinson's disease, not meningitis. It is characterized by a gradual loss of spontaneous movement and can affect the ability to initiate and continue movements¹.

Choice B reason : Brudzinski's sign is a clinical sign that suggests meningitis when neck flexion causes reflex flexion of the hips and knees. It occurs due to meningeal irritation caused by spinal cord movement or nerves against the meninges¹. This sign is considered positive when passive flexion of the neck results in reflex flexion of the hips and knees, indicating meningeal irritation².

Choice C reason : Kernig's sign is another clinical sign used to evaluate for meningitis. It involves extending and straightening one knee while the individual lies on their back with their hips and knees bent at a 90-degree angle. A positive Kernig’s sign indicates pain or resistance when the leg is extended, which suggests meningitis³. However, it is not the condition described in the scenario.

Choice D reason : Nuchal rigidity is an inability to flex the neck forward due to rigidity of the neck muscles. While it is a sign of meningitis, it does not involve the involuntary flexion of the legs as described in the scenario. Nuchal rigidity is typically assessed by attempting to flex the patient's neck forward while they are in a supine position⁴.