100 MCQs: Personality Disorders

Source: user-uploaded module on Personality Disorders

1. 1. Personality disorders are best described as:

A. Temporary mood disturbances

B. Enduring, inflexible patterns of behavior

C. Acute psychotic episodes

D. Normal variations in temperament

2. 2. Which age does personality disorder typically begin?

A. Early childhood (before 3)

B. Adolescence or early adulthood

C. Late adulthood

D. Only after age 60

3. 3. A core feature of personality disorders is that the behavior is:

A. Episodic

B. Inflexible and maladaptive

C. Always violent

D. Brief

4. 4. Which area is NOT one of the four major areas affected in personality disorders?

A. Cognition

B. Affectivity

C. Motor reflexes

D. Impulse control

5. 5. Prevalence of personality disorders in the general population is approximately:

A. <1%
B. 5–10%

C. 25–30%

D. 50%

6. 6. Which of the following is a biological factor associated with personality traits?

A. High platelet monoamine oxidase

B. Low testosterone

C. Low platelet monoamine oxidase

D. Absence of neurotransmitters

7. 7. Fixation in the oral psychosexual stage is most associated with:

A. Passive and dependent traits

B. Stubborn and controlling traits

C. Anxious personality

D. Lifelong inability to form relationships

8. 8. DSM-5 groups personality disorders into how many clusters?

A. 2

B. 3

C. 4

D. 5

9. 9. Cluster A personality disorders are best described as:

A. Anxious and fearful

B. Odd and eccentric

C. Dramatic and emotional

D. Dependent

10. 10. Which disorder is in Cluster B?

A. Paranoid personality disorder

B. Schizoid personality disorder

C. Antisocial personality disorder

D. Avoidant personality disorder

11. 11. A key characteristic of personality disorders is 'lack of insight' which means:

A. Patient always knows they are ill

B. Patient is unaware behavior is problematic

C. Patient exaggerates symptoms

D. Patient has superior insight

12. 12. Mixed personality disorders mean:

A. Only one personality disorder exists

B. Presence of traits from multiple personality disorders

C. Disorder limited to childhood

D. Personality shifts daily

13. 13. In ICD-11 which code represents 'prominent personality traits'?

A. 6D11

B. 6D10.1

C. 6D10.2

D. GD10.0

14. 14. Endogenous endorphin levels are mentioned in the module as related to:

A. Mood stabilizers

B. Personality disorders

C. Sleep regulation only

D. None of the above

15. 15. Which neurotransmitter is commonly targeted for trait changes with medications?

A. Dopamine

B. Acetylcholine

C. Serotonin
D. GABA

16. 16. An example of maladaptive coping is:

A. Healthy problem solving

B. Avoidance and substance abuse

C. Seeking social support

D. Relaxation techniques

17. 17. Which of the following is NOT a typical outcome of personality disorders?

A. Significant occupational impairment

B. Distress to self or others

C. Enhanced social functioning

D. Impaired relationships

18. 18. Personality disorder diagnosis requires that traits are not better explained by:

A. Another psychiatric disorder, medical condition or substance use

B. Patient's culture

C. Family history

D. Age

19. 19. Which of the following is a developmental factor in personality disorder etiology?

A. Childhood abuse

B. Current medication use

C. Late-onset dementia

D. High education level

20. 20. A common feature of many personality disorders is:

A. Stable relationships

B. Emotional instability

C. Excellent impulse control

D. High insight
21. 21. The term 'identity disturbance' refers to:

A. Clear stable sense of self

B. Disturbed and unstable sense of self

C. Only physical identity issues

D. Legal identity changes

22. 22. Electrophysiological changes in some patients with personality disorders commonly
show:

A. Increased alpha activity only

B. Slow wave activity

C. No change

D. High-frequency spikes like epilepsy

23. 23. Which cluster includes Avoidant Personality Disorder?

A. A

B. B

C. C

D. None

24. 24. Which personality disorder is characterized by detachment and social withdrawal?

A. Histrionic

B. Schizoid

C. Narcissistic

D. Dependent

25. 25. Which disorder is characterized mainly by pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of
others?

A. Paranoid personality disorder

B. Schizotypal personality disorder

C. Avoidant personality disorder

D. Borderline personality disorder

26. 26. Which sign is typical of Paranoid Personality Disorder?

A. Sees harmless remarks as malicious

B. Seeks many close friends

C. Pleasure in many activities

D. Easily trusts others

27. 27. Treatment of Paranoid Personality Disorder primarily includes:

A. Individual psychotherapy and supportive psychotherapy

B. High-dose antipsychotics as mainstay

C. Electroconvulsive therapy

D. No treatment ever

28. 28. Schizoid personality disorder patients are usually:

A. Highly sociable

B. Emotionally cold and indifferent to praise

C. Overly dramatic

D. Dependent on others

29. 29. Which of the following is TRUE about Antisocial Personality Disorder?

A. They reliably maintain employment

B. They show disregard for others' rights

C. They have excessive need for admiration

D. They avoid social interaction due to fear

30. 30. Histrionic Personality Disorder is most associated with:

A. Excessive emotionality and attention seeking

B. Lack of empathy and grandiosity

C. Persistent social withdrawal

D. Rigid perfectionism

31. 31. A common nursing role for patients with Histrionic PD includes:
A. Encouraging manipulative behavior

B. Setting boundaries and being consistent

C. Ignoring emotions completely

D. Promoting dependency

32. 32. Which is a core feature of Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

A. Low self-importance

B. Lack of empathy and grandiosity

C. Fear of abandonment

D. Social withdrawal

33. 33. Borderline Personality Disorder often includes which behavior?

A. Stable mood

B. Repeated self-injury and suicide attempts

C. Excessive hoarding only

D. Lack of interpersonal conflicts

34. 34. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) focuses on all EXCEPT:

A. Mindfulness

B. Distress tolerance

C. Electroconvulsive therapy

D. Interpersonal effectiveness

35. 35. A treatment NOT typically used for Borderline PD is:

A. Dialectical Behavior Therapy

B. Antipsychotics for certain symptoms

C. Benzodiazepines long-term

D. Mood stabilizers

36. 36. Avoidant Personality Disorder is different from Social Anxiety Disorder mainly
because:

A. APD is a pervasive personality pattern, not just episodic anxiety

B. APD never involves anxiety

C. Social Anxiety Disorder is always more severe

D. They are the same

37. 37. Which therapy is first-line for many personality disorders?

A. Psychotherapy

B. High-dose steroids

C. Anticonvulsants alone

D. Surgery

38. 38. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder differs from OCD in that:

A. OCPD includes true obsessions and compulsions only

B. OCPD is a pervasive personality pattern of perfectionism and control

C. OCD is a personality disorder

D. They are identical

39. 39. One DSM criterion of OCPD is:

A. Excessive devotion to work at the expense of leisure

B. Repeated physical tics

C. Hallucinations

D. Grandiose delusions

40. 40. Which ICD-11 severity code corresponds to mild personality disorder?

A. GD10.0

B. 6D11.5

C. 6D10.2

D. GD10.2

41. 41. A useful pharmacologic approach for OCPD traits in some patients includes:

A. SSRIs to target rigidity and obsessive traits

B. High-dose antipsychotics only

C. No medication ever helps

D. Insulin therapy

42. 42. A nursing diagnosis for Borderline PD often includes:

A. Risk for self-mutilation

B. Risk for improved relationships

C. Enhanced impulse control

D. Social flourishing

43. 43. Which personality disorder commonly shows 'splitting' (idealization and
devaluation)?

A. Borderline personality disorder

B. Schizoid personality disorder

C. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

D. Avoidant personality disorder

44. 44. Which of the following is a recommended nursing intervention for self-harm
episodes?

A. Provide excessive sympathy and attention

B. Care for wounds matter-of-factly and avoid reinforcing behavior

C. Encourage immediate leave from unit

D. Ignore the behavior

45. 45. Which of the following is TRUE about Antisocial PD treatment?

A. Pharmacotherapy is highly effective and curative

B. Group psychotherapy and long-term psychodynamic therapy may be used

C. ECT is first-line

D. They often seek treatment voluntarily

46. 46. A hallmark of Histrionic PD speech style is:

A. Impressionistic and lacking in detail

B. Monotone and concrete

C. Technical and rigid

D. Very slow and scant

47. 47. Which feature is common in Avoidant PD?

A. Preoccupation with orderliness to the point of losing main purpose

B. Extreme social inhibition and sensitivity to criticism

C. Need for admiration

D. Acting-out and impulsivity

48. 48. Family involvement in treatment is particularly emphasized for:

A. Avoidant personality disorder

B. Antisocial personality disorder only

C. Schizoid personality disorder only

D. None of the disorders

49. 49. ICD-11 code 6D11.5 corresponds to which pattern?

A. Detachment

B. Anankastia

C. Borderline pattern

D. Disinhibition

50. 50. Which biological marker was mentioned as possibly low in some patients with
personality disorders?

A. Platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) levels

B. Serum sodium

C. Cortisol only

D. Blood glucose

51. 51. Which psychotherapy specifically integrates mindfulness, distress tolerance,

emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness?

A. CBT

B. DBT
C. Psychoanalysis

D. Family therapy

52. 52. Mentalization-based therapy primarily helps patients to:

A. Understand medication schedules

B. Understand their own and other's mental states

C. Regress to childhood behaviors

D. Increase impulsivity

53. 53. Schema-focused therapy combines elements of:

A. Behavior therapy and hypnosis

B. Psychodynamic therapy and CBT

C. Pharmacotherapy and ECT

D. Only group therapy

54. 54. Which medication class is often used to treat comorbid depression and rigidity in
personality disorders?

A. SSRIs

B. Beta-blockers

C. Antihistamines

D. Antivirals

55. 55. A neurophysiological finding sometimes seen in personality disorder patients is:

A. Slow wave brain activity

B. Epileptiform discharges in all patients

C. Complete normal EEG always

D. High-amplitude fast spikes consistently

56. 56. Which personality disorder is associated with exploitation of others and lack of
empathy?

A. Dependent personality disorder

B. Narcissistic personality disorder

C. Avoidant personality disorder

D. Schizoid personality disorder

57. 57. In elderly patients, which cluster is noted to contribute to decline in global
functioning?

A. Cluster A only

B. Cluster B

C. Cluster C

D. No cluster contributes

58. 58. Which treatment is most effective for reducing self-harm in Borderline PD?

A. DBT

B. Long-term benzodiazepines

C. Electroconvulsive therapy

D. High-dose antipsychotics exclusively

59. 59. Which DSM-5-TR feature is typical of Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

A. Chronic fear of rejection

B. Grandiosity and need for admiration

C. Detachment and solitude

D. Compulsive checking

60. 60. Which personality disorder often shows 'inability to experience pleasure'
(anhedonia)?

A. Schizoid personality disorder

B. Histrionic personality disorder

C. Antisocial personality disorder

D. Dependent personality disorder

61. 61. Which is NOT typically a cause listed under psychodynamic factors?

A. Fixation at a psychosexual stage

B. Retarded ego development

C. Unmet childhood needs

D. Acute bacterial infection

62. 62. Which of the following is an ICD-11 category for personality-related disturbances
but not a full disorder?

A. 6D11 prominent personality traits

B. 6D10.2 severe personality disorder

C. GD10.0 mild personality disorder

D. 6D10.Z unspecified

63. 63. Which therapy focuses on the emotional experience between therapist and patient
to integrate fragmented self-image?

A. Transference-focused psychotherapy

B. ERP

C. Exposure therapy

D. Applied behavior analysis

64. 64. Anankastic personality disorder is most closely related to which DSM label?

A. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

B. Borderline PD

C. Schizotypal PD

D. Histrionic PD

65. 65. Which symptom is especially important to monitor in elderly with personality
disorders?

A. Self-injurious and suicidal behaviours

B. Only blood pressure changes

C. Increased appetite always

D. Hyperactivity only

66. 66. Which of the following is a common nursing diagnosis for personality disorders?

A. Ineffective coping related to lack of impulse control

B. Improved social interaction

C. Increased energy levels

D. Enhanced coping skills

67. 67. Which pharmacologic class may be used short term for severe anxiety in BPD but
carries abuse risk?

A. Benzodiazepines

B. SSRIs

C. Lithium

D. Antipsychotics

68. 68. A recommended nursing intervention to prevent dependence on a staff member is:

A. Rotate staff who work with the patient

B. Assign a single dedicated nurse forever

C. Avoid interactions

D. Punish the patient

69. 69. Which of these is a hallmark of Antisocial PD history?

A. Early conduct disorder and disregard for rules

B. Fear of social situations since childhood

C. Early attachment and dependency

D. Lifelong contented relationships

70. 70. Which statement about prognosis of Narcissistic PD was mentioned?

A. It is considered permanent and incurable by some sources

B. It always resolves without treatment

C. Medication cures it fully

D. It only occurs in adolescence

71. 71. Electroencephalographic slow wave activity in personality disorder suggests:

A. Possible brain electrical activity changes

B. Definitive epilepsy diagnosis

C. No brain involvement

D. Normal EEG

72. 72. Which therapy is useful particularly when personality disorder is comorbid with
depression in elderly?

A. Psychodynamic therapy

B. Only ECT

C. Surgery

D. No therapy

73. 73. Which ICD-11 code indicates unspecified severity of personality disorder?

A. 6D10.Z

B. GD10.0

C. 6D11.5

D. 6D10.2

74. 74. A 22-year-old with BPD presents after cutting her forearm following perceived
abandonment. Best immediate nursing action is:

A. Provide excessive praise to calm her

B. Assess and treat wounds matter-of-factly and ensure safety

C. Tell her it was attention-seeking and ignore

D. Discharge her immediately

75. 75. A patient with Histrionic PD flirts with staff and attempts to monopolize attention.
Nurse should:

A. Respond by setting consistent boundaries

B. Encourage the behavior to reduce shame

C. Avoid any interaction

D. Punish the patient

76. 76. A patient with Paranoid PD is suspicious of medication. Nurse should:

A. Force medication without explanation

B. Explain purpose clearly and build trust

C. Mock their fears

D. Discontinue all meds

77. 77. During group therapy a Schizoid patient refuses to participate. The nurse should:

A. Pressure them aggressively to share

B. Respect their social distance while offering gradual engagement

C. Exclude them from all activities permanently

D. Confront them harshly

78. 78. An Antisocial PD patient boasts of criminal acts and shows no remorse. Nursing
priority is:

A. Validate and join in boasting

B. Ensure safety of staff and others and set clear limits

C. Ignore and let them do as they wish

D. Provide extra privileges

79. 79. A client with OCPD spends hours organizing charts and misses deadlines. A helpful
nursing suggestion is:

A. Praise perfectionism and increase workload

B. Help set time limits and prioritize tasks

C. Remove all responsibilities permanently

D. Scold the patient

80. 80. A patient with Avoidant PD declines therapy fearing criticism. Nurse should:

A. Use gentle encouragement and offer graded social exposure

B. Force them into large group sessions immediately

C. Label them as 'difficult' to staff

D. Ignore their fear

81. 81. A BPD patient shows rapid mood shifts and accuses staff of betrayal. Nurse's best
long-term approach is:
A. Rotate staff frequently and explore abandonment fears

B. Adopt punitive measures

C. Become their sole confessor

D. Avoid therapeutic engagement

82. 82. Which documentation is most important after a patient self-harms?

A. Vague note 'okay now'

B. Detailed factual account of incident, interventions and patient's statements

C. No documentation

D. Only report to family verbally

83. 83. A nurse rotating assignments prevents:

A. Patient developing dependence on particular staff

B. Patient's recovery

C. All therapeutic progress

D. Medication side effects

84. 84. If a patient with Antisocial PD becomes violent, immediate priority is:

A. Ensure safety of staff and other patients

B. Argue with the patient

C. Ignore the behavior

D. Release them to roam

85. 85. A patient with Narcissistic PD reacts angrily to criticism. Best nursing response is:

A. Confront aggressively

B. Provide calm, matter-of-fact feedback and limit-setting

C. Praise insincerely to avoid anger

D. Humiliate the patient

86. 86. Family education for Avoidant PD should focus on:

A. Encouraging rejection and isolation

B. Providing support and creating a stable, non-judgmental environment

C. Forcing social interactions

D. Removing all social ties

87. 87. During assessment, a BPD patient reports chronic emptiness. The nurse should:

A. Ignore the statement

B. Explore feelings and assess for suicidal ideation

C. Dismiss as manipulative

D. Tell them to 'snap out of it'

88. 88. A patient with Histrionic PD reports theatrical suicidal gestures to gain attention.
Nursing priority is:

A. Assume it's only for attention and do nothing

B. Assess suicide risk thoroughly and ensure safety

C. Praise the gesture

D. Discharge them

89. 89. Which intervention helps reduce impulsive behavior in BPD?

A. Teaching distress tolerance skills (DBT)

B. Encouraging impulsive acts

C. Banning all activities

D. Ignoring impulsivity

90. 90. A patient with severe Avoidant PD is homebound. A suitable nursing goal is:

A. Increase social isolation

B. Gradually increase social exposure and coping skills

C. Force immediate public speaking

D. Remove family support

91. 91. When working with a patient with OCPD, nurses should avoid:

A. Being rigid and punitive

B. Using collaborative problem solving

C. Helping prioritize tasks

D. Encouraging flexibility

92. 92. Which observation suggests improvement in a patient with Paranoid PD?

A. Becoming more trusting and less suspicious over time

B. Increasing mistrust

C. More isolation

D. Increasing hostility

93. 93. A nurse notes an elderly patient with PD has worsening depression. Next step:

A. Assess for suicidal ideation and refer for treatment of comorbidities

B. Assume it's normal aging

C. Ignore and wait

D. Provide only social activities

94. 94. A patient with Antisocial PD is manipulative with staff. Best nursing strategy is:

A. Set firm limits and avoid being manipulated

B. Allow manipulation to reduce conflict

C. Reward manipulation

D. Give special favors

95. 95. A BPD patient requests to see the same staff all the time; nurse response should be:

A. Rotate staff to prevent dependence while providing consistent care

B. Always assign the same nurse

C. Refuse care

D. Punish the patient

96. 96. A nursing priority when caring for a patient with Histrionic PD is to:

A. Avoid emotional reactivity and maintain professional boundaries

B. Encourage exaggerated emotional displays

C. Ignore their feelings entirely

D. Promote dependency

97. 97. If a patient with OCPD hoards objects that impair function, nurse should:

A. Encourage gradual decluttering with supportive CBT strategies

B. Throw the objects away immediately

C. Praise hoarding

D. Ignore the problem

98. 98. Which cluster contains Paranoid, Schizoid and Schizotypal personality disorders?

A. Cluster A

B. Cluster B

C. Cluster C

D. Cluster D

99. 99. Which nursing diagnosis is appropriate for a patient exhibiting manipulative
behavior for personal gain?

A. Impaired verbal communication

B. Impaired social interaction related to manipulative behaviors

C. Disturbed sleep pattern

D. Enhanced coping

100. 100. Which is an important goal when treating personality disorders in elderly
patients?

A. Ignore comorbid depression

B. Treat comorbidities like depression and dementia timely

C. Avoid psychotherapy

D. Only use medications

Answer Key
1. B

2. B

3. B

4. C

5. B

6. C

7. A

8. B

9. B

10. C

11. B

12. B

13. A

14. B

15. C

16. B

17. C

18. A

19. A

20. B

21. B

22. B

23. C

24. B

25. A
26. A

27. A

28. B

29. B

30. A

31. B

32. B

33. B

34. C

35. C

36. A

37. A

38. B

39. A

40. A

41. A

42. A

43. A

44. B

45. B

46. A

47. B

48. A

49. C

50. A

51. B
52. B

53. B

54. A

55. A

56. B

57. B

58. A

59. B

60. A

61. D

62. A

63. A

64. A

65. A

66. A

67. A

68. A

69. A

70. A

71. A

72. A

73. A

74. B

75. A

76. B

77. B
78. B

79. B

80. A

81. A

82. B

83. A

84. A

85. B

86. B

87. B

88. B

89. A

90. B

91. A

92. A

93. A

94. A

95. A

96. A

97. A

98. A

99. B

100. B