A nurse is assisting with the care of a client. The nurse is collecting data from the client. Drag words from the choices below to fill in each blank in the following sentence. The nurse should identify that dropdownand dropdownindicate manifestations of borderline personality disorder.

Rationale for correct choices: • Emotional lability: The client demonstrates rapid and intense shifts in mood, such as being angry and hostile toward staff, then later praising the nurse excessively. This instability in affect is characteristic of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Emotional lability often leads to interpersonal conflicts and impulsive behaviors, which were observed in aggressive interactions with peers. Recognizing these shifts is essential for guiding therapeutic interventions. • Fear of abandonment: Clients with BPD frequently experience intense fear of real or perceived abandonment, influencing their relationships and behaviors. The client’s alternating hostility and praise toward the nurse may reflect anxiety over potential rejection or inconsistent attachment. Identifying this fear helps the nurse implement consistent, supportive care while maintaining professional boundaries. Rationale for incorrect choices: • Elevated body temperature: There is no evidence of fever or infection in the client. Elevated temperature is not a feature of BPD. It reflects physiological issues unrelated to emotional or behavioral manifestations. • Tactile hallucinations: The client has not reported or demonstrated perceptual disturbances such as hallucinations. Psychotic symptoms are not part of the core diagnostic features of BPD. Monitoring for hallucinations is unnecessary unless indicated by comorbid conditions. • Increased heart rate: While heart rate may increase transiently during stress or agitation, it is a physiological response and not a defining characteristic of BPD. Emotional lability and interpersonal fears more accurately reflect the disorder’s manifestations.