A nurse is planning overall strategies to address problems for a client who has borderline personality disorder. Which of the following strategies is the priority for the nurse to incorporate in the plan of care?
Implement measures to prevent intentional self-inflicted injury.
Discuss the appropriate use of assertive behavior with the client.
Encourage the client to attend weekly support group meetings.
Assist the client to maintain awareness of her thoughts and feelings.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Implement measures to prevent intentional self-inflicted injury:
This choice is the priority. Individuals with borderline personality disorder are at an increased risk of self-harm and suicidal behaviors. Implementing measures to prevent intentional self-inflicted injury, such as close monitoring, removing potentially harmful objects, and creating a safe environment, is crucial to ensuring the client's safety and well-being.
B. Discuss the appropriate use of assertive behavior with the client:
Teaching assertive behavior is an important aspect of therapy for individuals with borderline personality disorder. Learning to express emotions and needs in a healthy, assertive manner can improve their interpersonal skills and relationships. However, this choice is secondary to ensuring the client's safety. Safety concerns need to be addressed before moving on to other therapeutic interventions.
C. Encourage the client to attend weekly support group meetings:
Support group meetings can provide valuable social support and a sense of belonging for individuals with borderline personality disorder. Being part of a supportive community can offer understanding and coping strategies. While this is a beneficial intervention, it is not the priority. Safety concerns and addressing self-harm risk take precedence.
D. Assist the client to maintain awareness of her thoughts and feelings:
Developing self-awareness and emotional regulation skills is essential in managing borderline personality disorder. Techniques such as mindfulness and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can help individuals become more aware of their thoughts and emotions. While important for long-term management, this intervention is not the priority when immediate safety concerns are present. Safety should always be the first focus of care.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Hallways are long distances:
Long hallways can be challenging for individuals with dementia due to their potential mobility issues, disorientation, and decreased ability to navigate. Dementia often affects spatial awareness and can lead to confusion, making it difficult for patients to find their way back to their rooms or common areas. Long distances increase the risk of falls and disorientation.
B. The room has an area rug:
Area rugs can present tripping hazards for anyone, especially for individuals with mobility issues, balance problems, or cognitive impairments like dementia. Patients might trip on the edges of the rug, leading to falls and injuries.
C. The bed is in the low position:
Having the bed in a low position is generally considered a safety measure, especially for patients at risk of falls. However, for a patient with dementia, it might be important to strike a balance. Beds that are too low can be difficult for individuals with dementia to get in and out of, potentially leading to falls. It's important to assess the patient's ability to safely get in and out of bed.
D. Outside doors have locks:
Locks on outside doors are essential for the safety of individuals with dementia. Dementia patients are prone to wandering, which can lead them to dangerous situations if they leave the facility unsupervised. Locks on outside doors help prevent wandering, ensuring the patients stay within the secure confines of the facility.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Contact a close relative of the client to discuss the discharge plan:
Involving close relatives or a support system can be beneficial for the client's recovery. However, it's crucial to respect the client's confidentiality and privacy. In some cases, clients might not want their relatives involved or might not have a supportive family environment, so this option should be approached cautiously and with the client's consent.
B. Refer the client to a self-help group:
This is a highly recommended action. Self-help groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) provide a supportive environment where individuals with alcohol use disorder can share their experiences and coping strategies. These groups can significantly contribute to maintaining sobriety after rehabilitation.
C. Request a discharge prescription for buprenorphine for the client:
Buprenorphine is typically used to treat opioid use disorder, not alcohol use disorder. Medications like disulfiram, naltrexone, and acamprosate are more commonly prescribed to help individuals manage alcohol cravings and maintain abstinence. However, the choice of medication should be individualized and determined by a healthcare provider based on the client's specific needs and medical history.
D. Teach the client to practice systematic desensitization:
Systematic desensitization is a therapeutic technique used to treat phobias and anxieties by gradually exposing individuals to their fears in a controlled and safe manner. While it can be helpful for addressing anxiety-related issues, it's not a standard treatment for alcohol use disorder. Therapeutic interventions for alcohol use disorder often focus on behavioral therapies, counseling, and support groups.
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