A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who has pneumonia.

For each potential nursing action, click to specify if the potential action is anticipated or contraindicated for the client.

Fear of abandonment: Clients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) often have an intense fear of abandonment, leading to unstable relationships and emotional outbursts. The client’s fluctuating behavior towards the nurse (from anger to admiration) suggests this pattern.

Emotional instability: BPD is characterized by rapid mood changes and intense emotional reactions. The client displays aggression, impulsivity, and mood shifts, as seen in their outbursts and sudden praise for the nurse.

Incorrect:

Elevated body temperature: Fever is not a characteristic of BPD. It is more commonly associated with infections or inflammatory conditions.

Tactile hallucinations: Hallucinations are more common in psychotic disorders or substance withdrawal rather than BPD.

Increased heart rate: Tachycardia is a physiological response to stress, anxiety, or substance use but is not a defining feature of BPD.

A) Position the client’s head toward Mecca: In Islam, it is customary to position the deceased's body with the head facing toward Mecca, the holy city of Islam. This is an important religious practice and should be followed during postmortem care to respect the deceased's cultural and religious beliefs.

B) Allow a family member of the client to stay with the client’s body until burial: It is customary in many Islamic traditions for a family member to stay with the body, providing comfort and ensuring the body is treated with respect. However, the nurse should ensure this is done within the hospital's policies and in a safe, culturally sensitive manner. This practice should be respected, but it is not the immediate priority for the nurse during postmortem care.
C) Allow a family member to stay with the client’s body for 8hr: While some Islamic traditions may involve family members staying with the body, the nurse should adhere to the specific wishes of the family and the institution's policies. The 8-hour duration is not a specific religious requirement, and the focus should be on providing respectful, appropriate care and ensuring the family’s wishes are honored within the hospital's guidelines.

D) Position the client’s head northward: In Islamic traditions, the body is positioned with the head facing toward Mecca, not northward. Positioning the head in a direction other than toward Mecca would not align with the cultural practices of Islam regarding postmortem care. Therefore, this action would not be appropriate.