A psychiatric technician remarks to the nurse, 'That client with dependent personality disorder is so clingy! I almost hate to see her coming my way.' The response by the nurse that will be helpful to the technician is:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: The client fears having to function independently without direction from someone else. This response is helpful because it provides insight into the underlying fear and motivation of the client's behavior. Clients with dependent personality disorder often have an excessive need to be taken care of and fear being alone or making decisions independently. This response acknowledges the client's struggle with autonomy and offers understanding without judgment. Choice A is incorrect because it normalizes the technician's negative feelings, which does not address the client's needs. Choice B is incorrect because it makes a generalizing and negative statement about clients with personality disorders, which is stigmatizing and unhelpful. Choice D is incorrect because it describes features more commonly associated with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, not dependent personality disorder.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because individuals with personality disorders often evoke countertransference and conflict in staff due to their challenging behaviors and interpersonal dynamics. This can lead to potential misunderstandings and ineffective treatment if not addressed through frequent meetings. Option A is incorrect as flexibility and unconventional responses to stress are not typically the primary concern necessitating frequent meetings. Option B is incorrect as a desire for emotional intimacy is not necessarily a reason for staff to schedule frequent meetings. Option D is incorrect as an impaired ability to develop trusting relationships might be a symptom of a personality disorder, but it is not the characteristic that most necessitates frequent meetings.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because promoting gradual weight gain through a structured meal plan is essential in treating anorexia nervosa. This intervention helps the patient restore their nutritional status and physical health. By providing a structured meal plan, the patient can slowly increase their caloric intake, leading to healthy weight gain. This approach also helps address the underlying psychological and emotional issues associated with the eating disorder. Encouraging the patient to restrict calorie intake (B) is harmful as it perpetuates the cycle of malnutrition. Offering emotional support without addressing food-related behaviors (C) neglects the crucial aspect of nutritional rehabilitation. Focusing on daily exercise (D) may exacerbate the patient's physical health and reinforce unhealthy behaviors.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Height and weight changes. In anorexia nervosa, monitoring height and weight is crucial to assess the severity of malnutrition and potential complications. Weight loss is a key indicator of the patient's nutritional status and overall health decline. Height measurement also helps determine growth patterns in younger patients. Choice B: Food intake and nutritional status, although important, is not the priority as weight changes provide a more direct reflection of the patient's nutritional status. Choice C: Mental health status and body image concerns are significant in anorexia nervosa, but assessing height and weight takes precedence due to the immediate physical risks associated with severe malnutrition. Choice D: Vital signs and cardiovascular function are important, but monitoring height and weight is more specific to the nutritional deficiencies seen in anorexia nervosa.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, to monitor electrolyte levels and cardiac function. This is a priority assessment because frequent purging in bulimia nervosa can lead to electrolyte imbalances and cardiac complications, such as arrhythmias and heart failure. Monitoring these parameters is crucial for early detection and intervention to prevent serious health consequences. Observing for signs of dehydration and low blood pressure (Choice B) is important but not as critical as monitoring electrolyte levels and cardiac function. Assessing for compulsive exercise behaviors (Choice C) and monitoring changes in eating patterns and food preferences (Choice D) are also relevant but secondary to the immediate risk of electrolyte imbalances and cardiac issues.