A nurse is developing an in-service about personality disorders. Which of the following information should the nurse include when discussing borderline personality disorder?

A. Incorrect. Securing the tracheostomy tube with ties is important, but this is a task that should be performed by healthcare professionals initially. It is not typically part of discharge teaching.
B. Incorrect. Changing the tracheostomy dressing using clean technique is also an essential skill but may not be suitable for discharge teaching. The partner should be educated on monitoring the stoma site and recognizing signs of infection or complications.
C. Correct. Teaching the partner how to operate the portable suction machine is crucial for maintaining a patent airway. Suctioning is often necessary to clear mucus and secretions from the tracheostomy tube, especially when the client is at home.
D. Incorrect. Changing a tracheostomy tube, particularly a nondisposable one, is a procedure that should be performed by healthcare professionals due to the risk of complications and the need for sterile technique. It is not typically part of discharge teaching to non-medical caregivers.

Pyrexia, also known as fever, refers to an elevated body temperature that is above the normal range. The normal body temperature is typically around 37°C (98.6°F), and a temperature of 38.4°C (101.1°F) indicates a fever.

Alternative Choices:

1. "tachycardia" due to "heart rate of 92/min"

• Incorrect. Tachycardia refers to an abnormally high heart rate, usually above 100 beats per minute (bpm) in adults. A heart rate of 92/min is within normal limits and does not qualify as tachycardia.

2. "hypertension" due to "blood pressure of 130/78 mm Hg"

• Incorrect. Hypertension is defined as having a blood pressure reading consistently above 140/90 mm Hg. The reading of 130/78 mm Hg falls into the elevated category but does not reach the threshold for hypertension.

3. "respiratory distress" due to "respiratory rate of 18/min"

• Incorrect. A respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute is considered normal for adults, so this finding does not indicate respiratory distress.

4. "obesity" due to "current BMI of 29.9"

• Partially correct. A BMI of 29.9 places the client in the "overweight" category, just below the threshold for obesity (BMI of 30 or higher). However, the presence of pyrexia is the more immediate clinical concern based on the provided vital signs.