A nurse is screening a group of clients for potential mental health conditions. Which of the following questions should the nurse ask to determine a client's risk for alcohol use disorder?

A. The client follows a strict routine of daily activities:
This choice is less likely to be a risk factor for borderline personality disorder. BPD is characterized by impulsivity and difficulties in maintaining stable routines or relationships. Individuals with BPD often struggle with adhering to strict routines due to impulsive behaviors and emotional dysregulation.

B. The client reports having a substance use disorder:
Individuals with borderline personality disorder often struggle with impulse control and emotional regulation. Substance use can be a way for them to cope with intense emotions and mood swings. The presence of a substance use disorder can indicate a higher risk for borderline personality disorder due to these coping mechanisms.

C. The client is a twin:
Being a twin, in itself, is not a direct risk factor for borderline personality disorder. However, if there are genetic or environmental factors contributing to the disorder, both twins might be at risk due to shared genetic material and upbringing. It's essential to consider the specific familial and environmental context when assessing the risk in twins.

D. The client's mother abandoned him as a child:
Early childhood experiences play a significant role in the development of personality disorders, including borderline personality disorder. Abandonment, neglect, or other forms of trauma can disrupt a child's sense of security and trust, leading to difficulties in regulating emotions and forming stable relationships later in life.

E. The client's father has an impulse control disorder:
Growing up in an environment where a parent has an impulse control disorder can create an unstable living situation. Inconsistent parenting and unpredictable behaviors can contribute to emotional instability and difficulties in regulating impulses, which are hallmark features of borderline personality disorder.

A. The nurse maintains confidentiality unless the client's safety is compromised:
Explanation: Maintaining confidentiality is a fundamental principle in nursing practice. Nurses are ethically and legally obligated to keep client information confidential, ensuring that the client's privacy is respected. Confidentiality builds trust between the nurse and the client, encouraging open communication. However, confidentiality can be breached if the client's safety is at risk, such as if they express suicidal or homicidal thoughts, indicating the need for intervention to ensure their well-being.

B. The nurse seeks to spend extra time specifically with the client each day:
Explanation: While it's important for nurses to spend adequate time with each client, seeking to spend extra time specifically with one client may create imbalances in care distribution. Nurses should strive to provide equitable care to all clients, addressing their needs based on assessments and care plans. Special attention to one client could lead to feelings of favoritism or neglect among other clients, affecting the therapeutic environment.

C. The client sees the nurse as an authority figure:
Explanation: Clients often view nurses as authority figures due to their expertise and role in healthcare. This perception can facilitate a therapeutic relationship, as clients may trust the nurse's guidance and care. However, this should be balanced with empathy and understanding to create a supportive and therapeutic environment.

D. The client regards the nurse as a friend:
Explanation: While a therapeutic nurse-client relationship aims for trust and rapport, it is not a friendship. The nurse maintains professional boundaries to provide objective care without personal bias. Friendship implies a level of personal involvement that can compromise the nurse's ability to make objective clinical decisions. A therapeutic relationship is built on trust, respect, empathy, and clear professional boundaries.