A nursing instructor is preparing a class discussion on personality disorders and characteristics. Which term would the instructor include to differentiate personality disorders from normal personality? Select all that apply.
- A. Inflexible
- B. Short term
- C. Pervasive
- D. Unstable over time
- E. Distressing
Correct Answer: A,C,E
Rationale: Personality disorders are characterized by inflexible (A), pervasive (C), and distressing (E) patterns of behavior that deviate from normal personality traits. They are not short-term (B) but enduring, and while unstable relationships or emotions may occur, ?unstable over time? (D) is not a defining feature of the disorder itself.
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A nurse is assisting a client with borderline personality disorder in how to manage transient psychotic episodes that involve auditory hallucinations. The teaching is planned for times when the client is free of these symptoms. Which of the following would the nurse instruct the client to do first?
- A. Use skills to tolerate painful feelings.
- B. Practice deep abdominal breathing.
- C. Identify early internal cues of distress.
- D. Refer to cards listing potential symptoms.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Identifying early internal cues of distress (C) is the first step in managing transient psychotic episodes in BPD, enabling proactive intervention before hallucinations escalate. Tolerating feelings (A), breathing (B), or using cards (D) are subsequent steps after recognizing cues.
As part of a client?s treatment plan for borderline personality disorder, the client is engaged in dialectical behavior therapy. As part of the therapy, the client is learning how to control and change behavior in response to events. The nurse identifies the client as learning which type of skills?
- A. Emotion regulation skills
- B. Mindfulness skills
- C. Distress tolerance skills
- D. Self-management skills
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for BPD emphasizes emotion regulation skills (A) to help clients manage intense emotions and modify behaviors in response to triggers. Mindfulness (B) focuses on awareness, distress tolerance (C) on enduring crises, and self-management (D) is not a DBT-specific term.
The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. The nurse has instructed the client about using the communication triad. The nurse determines that the client has understood this technique when he states which of the following?
- A. I should start by stating my feelings as an ?I? statement.
- B. Maybe I should start by describing the situation that has me upset.
- C. I should first tell the other person what I?d like to be different about the situation.
- D. I should begin by telling the other person what has triggered my emotion.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The communication triad in BPD therapy involves using ?I? statements to express feelings, describing the situation, and stating desired changes. Starting with an ?I? statement (A) initiates effective communication. Describing the situation (B), desired changes (C), or triggers (D) follows but does not begin the triad.
The nurse is assessing a client who has borderline personality disorder. Which of the following would be a priority?
- A. Nutrition patterns
- B. Personal hygiene practices
- C. Physical functioning
- D. Somatic complaints
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Physical functioning (C) is a priority in BPD assessment due to the risk of self-harm or impulsivity affecting safety and health. Nutrition (A), hygiene (B), and somatic complaints (D) are important but secondary, as they are less immediately tied to life-threatening risks like self-injury.
The nurse has explained some of the biologic theories of causation to a client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and his family. The nurse determines that the client and family have understood the instructions when they state which of the following?
- A. The disorder may be caused by increased serotonin activity.
- B. The disorder is caused by decreased dopamine activity in my brain.
- C. A frontal lobe dysfunction may be causing this condition.
- D. A decrease in hormonal substances increases the risk for this illness.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Frontal lobe dysfunction (C), particularly in areas like the prefrontal cortex, is implicated in BPD due to its role in emotional regulation and impulsivity. Increased serotonin activity (A) is not typically associated, decreased dopamine (B) is more relevant to other disorders, and hormonal decreases (D) lack specific evidence in BPD causation.
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