A nurse is assisting with the care of a client. The nurse is collecting data from the client. Select words from the choices below to fill in each blank in the following sentence. The nurse should identify that _______ and __________ indicate manifestations of borderline personality disorder.
Explanation & Rationale
emotional lability: The client’s sudden and intense shifts in mood, such as calling the nurse "horrible" and then later saying the nurse is "the best," are classic signs of emotional lability. This rapid mood instability is a hallmark feature of borderline personality disorder and reflects difficulties regulating emotions. increased heart rate: An increased heart rate is a physiological response often linked to anxiety, panic, or substance use but is not a defining characteristic of borderline personality disorder. It does not directly represent a core emotional or relational disturbance seen in this disorder. elevated body temperature: Elevated body temperature is a physical finding associated with infection, inflammation, or drug reactions. It is not a behavioral or psychological symptom related to borderline personality disorder. tactile hallucinations: Tactile hallucinations, such as feeling sensations that are not there, are associated with psychotic disorders or substance intoxication rather than borderline personality disorder. They are not characteristic features of this condition. fear of abandonment: Individuals with borderline personality disorder have a profound fear of abandonment, whether real or perceived. This fear often leads to intense emotional reactions and unstable interpersonal relationships, as seen in the client’s extreme reactions toward the nurse.