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 C
Explanation
A. Liraglutide 0.6 mg subcutaneously daily:
Liraglutide is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. It works by regulating blood sugar levels and reducing appetite. It has no direct relevance to the treatment of schizophrenia or psychosis. Schizophrenia is a mental health disorder, and antipsychotic medications are typically used to manage its symptoms.
B. Selegiline 6 mg transdermal patch daily:
Selegiline is primarily used to treat Parkinson's disease by enhancing the effects of dopamine in the brain. It is not indicated for schizophrenia or psychosis. While dopamine dysregulation is involved in both Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia, the mechanisms and treatments are different. Antipsychotic medications, not selegiline, are used to manage psychosis in schizophrenia.
C. Aripiprazole 400 mg IM every 4 weeks:
This is the correct choice. Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic medication commonly used to treat schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. The intramuscular (IM) formulation provides extended release, making it suitable for clients who may have difficulty adhering to daily oral medications. It helps manage psychosis, a common symptom of schizophrenia.
D. Lithium 600 mg PO three times per day:
Lithium is a mood stabilizer commonly used to treat bipolar disorder by preventing or reducing the intensity of manic episodes. It is not a first-line treatment for schizophrenia or psychosis. Antipsychotic medications are the primary choice for managing the symptoms of psychosis in schizophrenia. Lithium is not typically used to address the hallucinations and delusions associated with schizophrenia.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Encourage the client to join group activities:
Encouraging a client experiencing a manic episode to join group activities is not the best option. Manic episodes are characterized by heightened energy, impulsive behavior, and decreased attention span. Group activities may overstimulate the client, making it difficult for them to focus or participate appropriately. It's essential to minimize stimulation and provide a calm environment to help manage the symptoms of mania.
B. Administer methylphenidate to the client:
Methylphenidate is a stimulant commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Administering a stimulant like methylphenidate to a person in a manic state can exacerbate their symptoms. It would increase their already elevated energy levels, restlessness, and impulsivity, making the manic episode more intense and challenging to manage. Using stimulant medications in this context is contraindicated.
C. Dim the lights in the client's room:
Dimming the lights in the client's room is the appropriate choice. Bright lights can increase agitation and restlessness in individuals experiencing a manic episode. Dimming the lights creates a calming environment, reducing excessive stimulation and promoting relaxation. A calm atmosphere is crucial for someone going through a manic episode to help them manage their symptoms effectively.
D. Provide detailed explanations to the client:
During a manic episode, individuals often have racing thoughts and may have difficulty concentrating. Providing detailed explanations can overwhelm the client, as they might have trouble processing complex information in this state. Instead, simple and clear communication is more effective. It's important to provide straightforward instructions and information to prevent further agitation and confusion.
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