A patient with borderline personality disorder has cut her wrists.The physician orders daily dressing changes for the lacerations.The nurse performing this care should:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A matter-of-fact approach does not provide the patient with inadvertent positive reinforcement for self-injurious behavior.The goal of providing emotional consistency is supported by this approach.All other options provide positive reinforcement of the behavior.Discussion of feelings should occur apart from episodes of self-mutilating behavior and related nursing care.Sympathy is not therapeutic in general;overtures of kindness and concern can evoke fears of abandonment,and even when this is not a concern,can reinforce self-injurious behavior if they are provided during response to self-mutilating behavior.

A Patient with Borderline Personality Disorder Has Cut Her Wrists