A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with the caregiver of a client who has dependent personality disorder. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
Explanation & Rationale
Choice A Reason: Encouraging assertiveness helps the client build self-confidence and the ability to express their needs and preferences. Individuals with dependent personality disorder often struggle with making decisions and being overly reliant on others, so promoting assertiveness can be an important part of their therapeutic process. Choice B Reason: Assuming responsibility for making the client's decisions is not appropriate because it further reinforces dependency, which is not a healthy outcome for individuals with dependent personality disorder. Choice C Reason: Maintaining a verbal no-harm contract is a safety measure for clients at risk of self-harm but is not specific to dependent personality disorder and may not be the primary focus of discharge teaching for this condition. Choice D Reason: Limiting the client's social interactions is not advisable. Encouraging social interactions and support can be beneficial for individuals with dependent personality disorder, as long as they are not excessively reliant on others for decision-making and functioning.