A nurse is caring for a client who is unable to make any decisions for themselves and needs constant reassurance. The nurse should identify that these are manifestations of which of the following personality disorders?
Avoidant personality disorder
Borderline personality disorder
Dependent personality disorder
Schizoid personality disorder
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason : Avoidant personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation. Individuals with this disorder may avoid work activities or decline job offers due to fears of criticism or rejection. However, they do not typically exhibit a need for constant reassurance or an inability to make decisions, which are more indicative of dependent personality disorder⁵⁶.
Choice B reason : Borderline personality disorder involves a pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity. While individuals with borderline personality disorder may exhibit dependency traits, they are more likely to engage in frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment and may have a pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships⁷⁸.
Choice C reason : Dependent personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of, leading to submissive and clinging behavior and fears of separation. Individuals with this disorder often require excessive advice and reassurance from others to make everyday decisions and may feel helpless when alone due to exaggerated fears of being unable to care for themselves. The need for constant reassurance and inability to make decisions align with the symptoms of dependent personality disorder¹²³⁴.
Choice D reason : Schizoid personality disorder is characterized by a lack of interest in social relationships, a tendency toward a solitary lifestyle, secretiveness, emotional coldness, detachment, and apathy. Individuals with schizoid personality disorder prefer to be alone and do not seek out social interactions or relationships. They do not typically display the need for reassurance or the inability to make decisions, as seen in dependent personality disorder¹²¹³¹⁴.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason : The symptoms described for the 40-year-old woman align closely with the clinical presentation of a pulmonary embolism. Swelling and pain in the calf may indicate deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can lead to PE. The presence of chest pain, difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate (tachycardia), and rapid breathing (tachypnea) are hallmark signs of PE³⁴.
Choice B reason : While the 60-year-old man is experiencing fatigue, which can be a symptom of many conditions, there is no direct indication of PE. Acute kidney injury (AKI) after IV antibiotics suggests a different pathophysiology unrelated to PE.
Choice C reason : The 30-year-old man's refusal to ambulate or wear compression stockings after surgery increases his risk for DVT and subsequently PE; however, he does not currently exhibit symptoms that are as indicative of PE as the 40-year-old woman.
Choice D reason : The 55-year-old woman's symptoms could suggest a cardiac event, such as a heart attack, especially with the radiating jaw pain. While PE can present with similar symptoms, the radiating pain is more characteristic of cardiac issues³.

Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason : Having the client floss 4 times daily is not typically recommended during chemotherapy because their gums may be more prone to bleeding due to a decrease in platelets, which is a common side effect of chemotherapy¹. Instead, gentle oral care is advised to prevent damage to the oral mucosa.
Choice B reason : Having the client swish with commercial mouthwash before therapy is not generally recommended because many commercial mouthwashes contain alcohol, which can be irritating to the mucous membranes and may exacerbate chemotherapy-induced mucositis¹. Instead, a saline rinse or a prescribed mouthwash without alcohol may be used to help manage oral hygiene during chemotherapy.
Choice C reason : Telling the client to expect dark stools following chemotherapy could be misleading. While some chemotherapy drugs can cause changes in stool color, dark stools can also indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, which requires immediate medical attention¹. Therefore, patients should be instructed to report any significant changes in stool color to their healthcare provider.
Choice D reason : Administering an antiemetic prior to the procedure is a standard practice to prevent nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy¹. Antiemetics are medications that can help control these common side effects, improving the patient's comfort and ability to tolerate the treatment.
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