A nurse is collecting data from a client who has paranoid personality disorder. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Choice A reason: Requiring frequent reassurance and an inability to make decisions independently are hallmark characteristics of dependent personality disorder. Individuals with paranoid personality disorder, by contrast, are often pathologically independent and reluctant to rely on others because they do not trust the motives or competence of those around them. Choice B reason: An inflated sense of self, grandiosity, and a constant need for admiration are primary clinical features of narcissistic personality disorder. While a paranoid individual may appear rigid or self-centered, their behavior is driven by a defensive posture against perceived external threats rather than a primary desire for ego-inflation or social status. Choice C reason: The defining characteristic of paranoid personality disorder is a pervasive and unwarranted distrust and suspiciousness of others. These individuals interpret the motives of others as malevolent, often believing without sufficient evidence that they are being exploited, harmed, or deceived by friends, family, and healthcare providers. Choice D reason: A lack of feelings of remorse and a blatant disregard for the rights of others are core diagnostic criteria for antisocial personality disorder. While individuals with paranoid personality disorder may be socially abrasive or hostile, their actions are typically rooted in perceived self-defense against imagined conspiracies rather than a predatory lack of conscience.