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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A nurse is observing a client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder on the inpatient unit. Which of the following would the nurse most likely note?
- A. Actively participating in several different groups
- B. Openly verbalizing feelings
- C. Participating in relationships in which the client has control
- D. Adhering to the personal boundaries of others
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Clients with BPD often seek control in relationships (C) due to fears of abandonment and emotional instability. Active group participation (A), open verbalization (B), and boundary adherence (D) are less likely due to impulsivity and interpersonal difficulties.
A client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder tells the nurse that she frequently spaces out. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?
- A. Do you feel stressed most of the time?
- B. Does this frighten you when it happens?
- C. What?s happening around you when this occurs?
- D. Do you feel as if you are out of your body?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The client?s description of ?spacing out? suggests dissociation, common in BPD. Asking if she feels out of her body (D) directly assesses the nature of this dissociative experience. Asking about stress (A), fear (B), or external events (C) is less specific to confirming dissociation.
A nurse is assessing a client with borderline personality disorder. Which question would be most appropriate to assess the client?s level of impulsivity?
- A. What things bother you and make you feel happy?
- B. Have you ever felt sorry after acting as you did on the spur of the moment?
- C. How do you view other people around you?
- D. Have you ever felt like you were separated from your body?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Asking about regret after spontaneous actions (B) directly assesses impulsivity, a core BPD trait. Questions about emotions (A), perceptions of others (C), or dissociation (D) are less specific to impulsivity.
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.
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.
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