A nurse is planning care for several clients.
The nurse knows that which of the following findings are common in clients who have dependent personality disorder?

Choice A rationale

This statement, "I feel a sense of power by restricting my food intake," is more characteristic of anorexia nervosa, where control over food and weight is central to the disorder and provides a significant sense of accomplishment and mastery for the individual, reinforcing the restrictive behaviors.

Choice B rationale

While laxative misuse can occur in bulimia nervosa as a compensatory behavior, the statement "I only use the laxatives when I am feeling constipated" suggests a more typical, physiologically-driven use rather than the compulsive and excessive use for weight control seen in bulimia nervosa.

Choice C rationale

A common feature of bulimia nervosa is the secrecy surrounding bingeing and purging behaviors due to shame and guilt. Individuals often go to great lengths to hide their behaviors from family and friends for extended periods, making this statement highly indicative of the disorder's covert nature.

Choice D rationale

While there might be temporary emotional relief or a distorted sense of control during binge-purge episodes, describing an "emotional high" is not a universally characteristic or primary emotional experience in bulimia nervosa. More commonly, feelings of distress, shame, and guilt follow these episodes.

Choice A rationale

Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others, often involving deceit, impulsivity, irritability, aggression, and a lack of remorse. Individuals with this disorder typically exhibit an exaggerated sense of self-reliance or manipulate others, rather than demonstrating an inability to make decisions or needing constant reassurance.

Choice B rationale

Schizoid personality disorder is defined by a pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of expression of emotions in interpersonal settings. Individuals with this disorder tend to be solitary, indifferent to praise or criticism, and emotionally cold. They do not typically seek or require constant reassurance, as they are often disengaged from close relationships.

Choice C rationale

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 struggle to make everyday decisions without an excessive amount of advice and reassurance from others and fear disagreeing with others because they are afraid of losing support or approval.

Choice D rationale

Avoidant personality disorder involves a pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation. Individuals with this disorder desire social interaction but avoid it due to fear of rejection or criticism. While they may seek reassurance, their primary issue is avoidance of social situations rather than a fundamental inability to make decisions and needing constant reassurance as seen in dependent personality disorder.