Cluster "A" personality disorders are referred to as

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2022

Explanation

According to the DSM-5, personality disorders are categorized into three distinct clusters.
Cluster A is specifically characterized by behaviors that are perceived as odd, eccentric, or unusual.
This cluster includes Paranoid, Schizoid, and Schizotypal personality disorders.
Individuals with these disorders often exhibit social detachment and peculiar thought patterns.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

Option A: The term 'Dramatic' is used to describe Cluster B personality disorders.
Option C: The term 'Anxious' is associated with Cluster C personality disorders.
Option D: 'Normal' is not a classification for personality disorders. By definition, a personality disorder represents a pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates markedly from the expectations of the individual's culture.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Classification of Cluster A personality disorders as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the three clusters helps nurses anticipate patient behaviors, establish therapeutic boundaries, and tailor communication strategies effectively.
For a patient with a Cluster A disorder, a nurse should use a straightforward, honest, and non-intrusive approach, respecting their need for social distance.
What if? If a patient exhibits intense mood swings, manipulative behavior, and a history of unstable relationships, the nurse should suspect a Cluster B disorder (like Borderline Personality Disorder). The approach would shift to implementing firm boundaries, ensuring safety from self-harm, and maintaining consistent care plans.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question: it asks for the descriptive label for 'Cluster A' personality disorders.
Recall the standard classification of personality disorders from the DSM-5, which groups them into three clusters: A, B, and C.
Use a mnemonic to remember the clusters, such as 'Weird, Wild, and Worried' for A, B, and C, respectively.
Match 'Weird' (or Odd/Eccentric) to Cluster A.
Evaluate the given options: 'Odd' directly corresponds to the description for Cluster A.
Eliminate the other options by associating 'Dramatic' with Cluster B and 'Anxious' with Cluster C. 'Normal' is not a valid classification for a disorder.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Classification of Cluster A personality disorders.
Stem keywords: Cluster A, personality disorders
Lead-in keywords: referred to as

Question ID

QHaJHhPxM8PXG4pVRJBDNx

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) pp. 3891-3893, 13877-13879, 7189-7191

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