This question-specific review guide is tied to the answer reasoning for a PracticeTestVault item. Use it after you answer the question so the review stays focused on what the prompt actually tested.
What this question is testing
Objective: Apply nursing care for a patient with a personality disorder
Prompt focus: A nurse is caring for a patient with borderline personality disorder who praises one nurse as wonderful while calling another nurse uncaring. Which nursing approach is most effective in addressing this behavior?
Why the correct answer works
Maintain consistent limits and clear communication among the staff
Consistent limits and clear staff communication counteract splitting in borderline personality disorder.
Why the tempting wrong answer fails
The tempting wrong answer usually loses because it skips the key condition, priority, or evidence in the prompt.
Plain-language takeaway
Splitting is common in borderline personality disorder. Consistent staff communication and uniform limit setting prevent the patient from playing staff against one another.
Simple analogy
Think of apply nursing care for a patient with a personality disorder like following a short checklist: identify the clue, confirm the rule, and then make the move that fits this exact scenario.
How to review it before a retake
- Underline the command word and name what the question is asking before rereading the choices.
- Compare the correct answer against the closest distractor and write the exact detail that separates them.
- Retest this objective with a fresh question without looking at the rationale first.