Question

A nurse is caring for a client who has a personality disorder.

Nurses' Notes
Day 1 - Admit note 0700Talkative, well-groomed.States she is "looking forward to divorcing partner number four" because she has "found my next partner."Anxious if left alone - wants to remain close to nurse.Tells the nurse, "I feel like a bomb waiting to explode."
Diagnostic Results
Day 1 0730
Hematocrit 45% (female: 37% to 47%)
Hemoglobin 14.5 g/dL (female: 12 to 16 g/dL)
Fasting blood glucose 92 mg/dL (74 to 106 mg/dL)
Graphic Record
Day 1 0715Temperature 36.2° C (97.2° F)Heart rate 86/minRespiratory rate 16/minBlood pressure 112/76 mm Hg
Select the 6 findings found in the client's medical record that are manifestations of the client's diagnosed personality disorder.
A) Exercises twice a week
B) Well-nourished female
C) Stealing money from family to cover credit card charges
D) Hypersexualization
E) Married multiple times
F) Anxious if left alone
G) Well-groomed
H) Same job for 12 years
I) Physical altercations
J) Incidences of self-injury

Answer 1

The six findings in the client's medical record that are manifestations of the diagnosed personality disorder are:

C) Stealing money from family to cover credit card charges

D) Hypersexualization

E) Married multiple times

F) Anxious if left alone

I) Physical altercations

J) Incidences of self-injury

Step-by-step explanation:

The client's behavior, as documented in the nurse's notes, suggests characteristics consistent with a personality disorder. The act of stealing money to cover credit card charges (Option C) is indicative of impulsive and reckless behavior often associated with certain personality disorders. The mention of being "looking forward to divorcing partner number four" and having "found my next partner" (Option E) points toward unstable and intense relationships, a common trait in personality disorders.

Additionally, the client expressing a desire to remain close to the nurse and feeling "like a bomb waiting to explode" when left alone (Option F) aligns with the fear of abandonment and emotional instability often observed in individuals with personality disorders. The potential for physical altercations (Option I) and instances of self-injury (Option J) further underscores the emotional dysregulation and impulsivity associated with this mental health condition.

It's crucial to consider the absence of options such as exercising twice a week (Option A) or having the same job for 12 years (Option H) as these are not typical manifestations of a personality disorder. The selected findings collectively provide a comprehensive picture of the client's behavioral patterns and emotional challenges associated with a personality disorder.