A person with an antisocial personality disorder has difficulty relating to others. Because the person has never learned to

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2023

Explanation

The defining feature of Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) is a pervasive disregard for and violation of the rights of others.
This behavior stems from a fundamental lack of empathy, meaning an inability to understand or share the feelings of another person.
Without empathy, individuals with ASPD cannot form genuine emotional connections, leading to relationships that are often superficial, manipulative, and exploitative.
They do not experience guilt or remorse for their actions, as they cannot appreciate the emotional impact they have on others.

Option A: While trust issues can be present, the core problem in ASPD is not an inability to count on others, but rather their own tendency to exploit and deceive others.
Option C: A need to be taken care of and a fear of separation are hallmarks of Dependent Personality Disorder (Cluster C), which is clinically distinct from ASPD.
Option D: Individuals with ASPD are often superficially charming, articulate, and socially adept. They use their communication skills to manipulate others, so they do not lack this ability.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Core deficits of Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must prioritize safety for themselves, other patients, and the individual when caring for someone with ASPD due to potential impulsivity and aggression.
A key nursing intervention is setting firm, consistent boundaries to manage manipulative behaviors and maintain a therapeutic and safe environment.
What if the patient showed intense fear of abandonment and unstable relationships? The focus would shift from managing manipulation (ASPD) to managing emotional dysregulation and self-harm risk, characteristic of Borderline Personality Disorder.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the disorder mentioned in the stem: Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD).
Recall the core, defining characteristics of ASPD. The most prominent feature is a disregard for others' rights and feelings.
The question asks for the underlying reason ('because') for their difficulty in relating to others.
Evaluate each option against the known psychopathology of ASPD.
Eliminate 'Be dependent on others' as this describes Dependent Personality Disorder.
Eliminate 'Communicate with others socially' because individuals with ASPD are often charming manipulators.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Guide to Mental Health & PSYCHIATRIC NURSING R Sreevani— Part 2 (pp 290-564 of 579) p. 24-26

E6 Psychology Morgan King 9e Part 2 p. 259-261

E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) p. 1786-1788

Practise the full RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2023

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.