Which of the following behaviors would the nurse expect to observe in an adolescent diagnosed with Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)?

A. Severe temper outbursts and chronic irritability: This is the hallmark presentation of DMDD. Adolescents with this disorder exhibit frequent, intense temper outbursts that are grossly out of proportion to the situation, along with a persistently irritable or angry mood between outbursts. B. Repeated use of alcohol and or drugs: Substance use can occur as a maladaptive coping mechanism in some adolescents, but it is not a defining feature of DMDD. This behavior is more closely associated with conduct disorder or substance use disorders. C. Severe mood swings and relationship problems: This is more characteristic of borderline personality disorder, which presents in late adolescence or early adulthood. DMDD involves irritability and explosive anger rather than rapid mood cycling. D. Difficulty in concentrating or staying still: This behavior is more consistent with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While ADHD and DMDD can co-occur, difficulty concentrating is not the core symptom of DMDD.