A nurse is reviewing home care with a client who has multiple sclerosis. Which of the following precautions should the nurse recommend to promote client safety?

Choice A reason: Clients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) typically exhibit an unstable sense of self and tumultuous relationships, not stability. Their identity disturbances and fear of abandonment lead to chaotic interpersonal dynamics, making this statement incorrect as it misrepresents core BPD characteristics.
Choice B reason: Self-harming behaviors, such as cutting or suicidal gestures, are common in BPD due to emotional dysregulation and impulsivity. These actions serve as maladaptive coping mechanisms for intense emotions, aligning with DSM-5 criteria for BPD, making this the correct information to include.
Choice C reason: While group therapy can be beneficial, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), an individual and skills-based approach, is the primary evidence-based treatment for BPD. Group therapy alone is not the standard, as it may not address individual emotional regulation needs, making this statement inaccurate.
Choice D reason: Clients with BPD frequently experience mood swings and emotional instability, a hallmark of the disorder due to affective dysregulation. This contradicts the statement, as BPD involves rapid mood shifts, not stability, making this information incorrect for describing BPD characteristics.

Choice A reason: Assigning a health care surrogate does not always require legal consultation, as forms are often available without attorney involvement. While legal advice can clarify complex cases, it is not mandatory, making this statement misleading and incorrect for general advance directive education.
Choice B reason: A health care surrogate makes decisions when the client is incapacitated, as specified in advance directives. This ensures the client’s wishes are followed, aligning with the purpose of surrogacy in healthcare planning, making it accurate and essential information for the teaching session.
Choice C reason: Advance directives can be changed at any time by a competent client, provided the changes are documented and communicated. Stating they cannot be changed is incorrect, as flexibility is a key feature, making this misinformation inappropriate for teaching.
Choice D reason: Advance directives are generally honored across states, though specific requirements may vary. Stating they are only valid in one state is overly restrictive and incorrect, as reciprocity is common, making this an inaccurate point for advance directive education.