Borderline Personality Disorder
Practice Questions with Correct
Answers
When planning care for clients diagnosed with personality disorders, what should be
the goal of treatment?
1. To stabilize the clients pathology by using the correct combination of psychotropic
medications
2. To change the characteristics of the dysfunctional personality
3. To reduce personality trait inflexibility that interferes with functioning and
relationships
4. To decrease the prevalence of neurotransmitters at receptor sites - ANSWER-3 ~
The goal of treatment for clients diagnosed with personality disorders should be to
reduce inflexibility of personality traits that interfere with functioning and
relationships. Personality disorders are often difficult and, in some cases, seem
impossible to treat. There are no psychotropic medications approved specifically for
the treatment of personality disorders.
Which client situation would reflect the impulsive behavior that is commonly
associated with borderline personality disorder?
1. As the day-shift nurse leaves the unit, the client suddenly hugs the nurses arm
and whispers, The night nurse is evil. You have to stay.
2. As the day-shift nurse leaves the unit, the client suddenly hugs the nurses arm
and states, I will be up all night if you don't stay with me.
3. As the day-shift nurse leaves the unit, the client suddenly hugs the nurses arm,
yelling, Please don't go! I can't sleep without you being here.
4. As the day-shift nurse leaves the unit, the client suddenly shows the nurse a
bloody arm and states, I cut myself because you are leaving me. - ANSWER-4 ~ The
client who states, I cut myself because you are leaving me reflects impulsive
behavior that is commonly associated with borderline personality disorder.
Repetitive, self-mutilating behaviors are common in clients diagnosed with borderline
personality disorders that result from feelings of abandonment following separation
from significant others.
From a behavioral perspective, which nursing intervention is appropriate when caring
for a client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder?
1. Seclude the client when inappropriate behaviors are exhibited.
2. Contract with the client to reinforce positive behaviors with unit privileges.
3. Teach the purpose of anti-anxiety medications to improve medication compliance.
4. Encourage the client to journal feelings to improve awareness of abandonment
issues. - ANSWER-2 ~ The most appropriate nursing intervention from a behavioral
perspective is to contract with the client to reinforce positive behaviors with unit
privileges. Behavioral strategies offer reinforcement for positive change.
, As a nurse prepares to administer a medication to a patient diagnosed with a
borderline personality disorder, the patient says, Just leave it on the table. Ill take it
when I finish combing my hair. What is the nurses best response?
a. Reinforce this assertive action by the patient. Leave the medication on the table
as requested.
b. Respond to the patient, Im worried that you might not take it. I will come back
later.
c. Say to the patient, I must watch you take the medication. Please take it now.
d. Ask the patient, Why dont you want to take your medication now? - ANSWER-C ~
The individual with a borderline personality disorder characteristically demonstrates
manipulative, splitting, and self-destructive behaviors. Consistent limit setting is vital
for the patients safety, as well as to prevent splitting other staff members. Why
questions are not therapeutic.
What is an appropriate initial outcome for a patient diagnosed with a personality
disorder who frequently manipulates others? The patient will:
a. identify when feeling angry.
b. use manipulation only to get legitimate needs met.
c. acknowledge manipulative behavior when it is called to his or her attention.
d. accept fulfillment of his or her requests within an hour rather than immediately. -
ANSWER-C ~ Acknowledging manipulative behavior is an early outcome that paves
the way for taking greater responsibility for controlling manipulative behavior at a
later time. Identifying anger relates to anger and aggression control. Using
manipulation to get legitimate needs is an inappropriate outcome. Ideally, the patient
will use assertive behavior to promote the fulfillment of legitimate needs. Accepting
fulfillment of requests within an hour rather than immediately relates to impulsivity
and immediacy control.
A patient diagnosed with borderline personality disorder has a history of self-
mutilation and suicide attempts. The patient reveals feelings of depression and anger
with life. The psychiatrist suggests the use of a medication. Which type of medication
should the nurse expect?
a. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
b. Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
c. Benzodiazepine
d. Antipsychotic - ANSWER-A ~ SSRIs are used to treat depression. Many patients
with borderline personality disorder are fearful of taking something over which they
have little control. Because SSRIs have a good side effect profile, the patient is more
likely to comply with the medication. Low-dose antipsychotic or anxiolytic
medications are not supported by the data given in this scenario. MAOIs require
great diligence in adherence to a restricted diet and are rarely used for patients who
are impulsive.
A patient diagnosed with a personality disorder has used manipulation to get his or
her needs met. The staff decides to apply limit-setting interventions. What is the
correct rationale for this action?
a. It provides an outlet for feelings of anger and frustration.
b. It respects the patients wishes so assertiveness will develop.
c. External controls are necessary while internal controls are developed.
Practice Questions with Correct
Answers
When planning care for clients diagnosed with personality disorders, what should be
the goal of treatment?
1. To stabilize the clients pathology by using the correct combination of psychotropic
medications
2. To change the characteristics of the dysfunctional personality
3. To reduce personality trait inflexibility that interferes with functioning and
relationships
4. To decrease the prevalence of neurotransmitters at receptor sites - ANSWER-3 ~
The goal of treatment for clients diagnosed with personality disorders should be to
reduce inflexibility of personality traits that interfere with functioning and
relationships. Personality disorders are often difficult and, in some cases, seem
impossible to treat. There are no psychotropic medications approved specifically for
the treatment of personality disorders.
Which client situation would reflect the impulsive behavior that is commonly
associated with borderline personality disorder?
1. As the day-shift nurse leaves the unit, the client suddenly hugs the nurses arm
and whispers, The night nurse is evil. You have to stay.
2. As the day-shift nurse leaves the unit, the client suddenly hugs the nurses arm
and states, I will be up all night if you don't stay with me.
3. As the day-shift nurse leaves the unit, the client suddenly hugs the nurses arm,
yelling, Please don't go! I can't sleep without you being here.
4. As the day-shift nurse leaves the unit, the client suddenly shows the nurse a
bloody arm and states, I cut myself because you are leaving me. - ANSWER-4 ~ The
client who states, I cut myself because you are leaving me reflects impulsive
behavior that is commonly associated with borderline personality disorder.
Repetitive, self-mutilating behaviors are common in clients diagnosed with borderline
personality disorders that result from feelings of abandonment following separation
from significant others.
From a behavioral perspective, which nursing intervention is appropriate when caring
for a client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder?
1. Seclude the client when inappropriate behaviors are exhibited.
2. Contract with the client to reinforce positive behaviors with unit privileges.
3. Teach the purpose of anti-anxiety medications to improve medication compliance.
4. Encourage the client to journal feelings to improve awareness of abandonment
issues. - ANSWER-2 ~ The most appropriate nursing intervention from a behavioral
perspective is to contract with the client to reinforce positive behaviors with unit
privileges. Behavioral strategies offer reinforcement for positive change.
, As a nurse prepares to administer a medication to a patient diagnosed with a
borderline personality disorder, the patient says, Just leave it on the table. Ill take it
when I finish combing my hair. What is the nurses best response?
a. Reinforce this assertive action by the patient. Leave the medication on the table
as requested.
b. Respond to the patient, Im worried that you might not take it. I will come back
later.
c. Say to the patient, I must watch you take the medication. Please take it now.
d. Ask the patient, Why dont you want to take your medication now? - ANSWER-C ~
The individual with a borderline personality disorder characteristically demonstrates
manipulative, splitting, and self-destructive behaviors. Consistent limit setting is vital
for the patients safety, as well as to prevent splitting other staff members. Why
questions are not therapeutic.
What is an appropriate initial outcome for a patient diagnosed with a personality
disorder who frequently manipulates others? The patient will:
a. identify when feeling angry.
b. use manipulation only to get legitimate needs met.
c. acknowledge manipulative behavior when it is called to his or her attention.
d. accept fulfillment of his or her requests within an hour rather than immediately. -
ANSWER-C ~ Acknowledging manipulative behavior is an early outcome that paves
the way for taking greater responsibility for controlling manipulative behavior at a
later time. Identifying anger relates to anger and aggression control. Using
manipulation to get legitimate needs is an inappropriate outcome. Ideally, the patient
will use assertive behavior to promote the fulfillment of legitimate needs. Accepting
fulfillment of requests within an hour rather than immediately relates to impulsivity
and immediacy control.
A patient diagnosed with borderline personality disorder has a history of self-
mutilation and suicide attempts. The patient reveals feelings of depression and anger
with life. The psychiatrist suggests the use of a medication. Which type of medication
should the nurse expect?
a. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
b. Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
c. Benzodiazepine
d. Antipsychotic - ANSWER-A ~ SSRIs are used to treat depression. Many patients
with borderline personality disorder are fearful of taking something over which they
have little control. Because SSRIs have a good side effect profile, the patient is more
likely to comply with the medication. Low-dose antipsychotic or anxiolytic
medications are not supported by the data given in this scenario. MAOIs require
great diligence in adherence to a restricted diet and are rarely used for patients who
are impulsive.
A patient diagnosed with a personality disorder has used manipulation to get his or
her needs met. The staff decides to apply limit-setting interventions. What is the
correct rationale for this action?
a. It provides an outlet for feelings of anger and frustration.
b. It respects the patients wishes so assertiveness will develop.
c. External controls are necessary while internal controls are developed.
