In working with clients with personality disorders, the staff ...

[go.lag]

In working with clients with personality disorders, the staff suddenly seem to be fighting with each other. Which of the following is the MOST likely explanation?
 
  a. Staff are tired and need a rest.
  b. Staff are stressed and need to work on techniques to reduce stress.
  c. Clients are manipulating staff and pitting staff against each other.
  d. The rules on the unit are not clear, so the staff need to work on the rules.

Question 2

A patient is very anxious and can only follow simple directions with great difficulty. The patient tells a nurse about a fear of keeping clean in such a public place and is observed repeatedly dusting the furniture.
 
  The nurse should assess the patient's level of anxiety as: a. mild.
  b. moderate.
  c. severe.
  d. panic.

[moormoney]

Answer to Question 1

B
Most likely the staff are stressed and need to work on techniques to reduce stress. Many nurses find working with clients with personality disorders to be undesirable and unsatisfying. In one study, 84 of nurses surveyed stated that working with clients with personality disorders was more difficult than working with other clients. Health care teams must be consistent and supportive of one another to avoid the risk of nurses feeling overly stressed and isolated from their coworkers.

Answer to Question 2

C
Severe anxiety is characterized by a reduced perceptual field as evidenced by inability to follow directions. All behavior is aimed at relieving anxiety as evidenced by the rituals the patient performs.