Question

Clients with personality disorders rely on their ability to manipulate others. The nurse caring for a client with a personality disorder should: A. Allow the manipulation because it will allow the client a sense of control B. Appeal to the client's sense of reason to maintain a therapeutic milieu C. Realize that the client will not need to manipulate after a sense of trust is established D. Recognize that the client's anxiety will increase when manipulations are unsuccessful

Short answer

Answer: The best approach for a nurse to handle a client with a personality disorder who relies on manipulation is to recognize that the client's anxiety will increase when manipulations are unsuccessful and provide appropriate support to promote healthier coping strategies.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the scenario

Read and comprehend the given exercise. The nurse is taking care of a client with a personality disorder who relies on their ability to manipulate others. The objective is to determine the best approach for the nurse to take in this situation.

Analyze each option

Read through the four options given (A, B, C, and D) and consider whether each is an appropriate approach for managing a client with a personality disorder who relies on manipulation. A. Allowing the manipulation may provide the client with a sense of control, but it is not helpful in promoting change or establishing healthy coping mechanisms. B. Appealing to the client's sense of reason may be challenging, as personality disorders often involve deeply ingrained, irrational thought patterns. Establishing a therapeutic milieu may help the client feel supported and understood, which could lead to improved behavior. C. Building trust with the client is essential, but it is unlikely to entirely eliminate the need to manipulate. Clients with personality disorders often have difficulty forming healthy relationships and may continue to engage in manipulative behaviors even after trust has been established. D. Recognizing that the client's anxiety may increase when manipulations are unsuccessful is important for the nurse to understand. Acknowledging this and providing appropriate support can help reduce anxiety and promote healthier coping strategies.

Choose the best option

After analyzing each option, choose the one that reflects the most appropriate approach for managing clients with personality disorders who rely on manipulation. In this case, the best option is: D. Recognize that the client's anxiety will increase when manipulations are unsuccessful. This approach addresses the client's emotional needs and promotes healthier coping strategies, rather than enabling manipulative behaviors or assuming trust will completely eliminate the need for manipulation.