A nurse on a mental health unit is caring for a client who is in wrist restraints following a violent outburst. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Home oxygen therapy via nasal cannula requires careful safety practices and skin integrity monitoring to prevent complications associated with prolonged oxygen delivery. Oxygen tubing can create continuous pressure on bony prominences such as the ears and cheeks, leading to skin breakdown. Proper education also includes safe oxygen flow settings, avoidance of flammable substances, and maintenance of nasal and skin moisture using appropriate water-based products. Family members must demonstrate understanding of both safety precautions and device care.

Rationale:
A. Increasing oxygen flow arbitrarily to “10” is unsafe because oxygen must be administered at the prescribed rate to avoid complications such as oxygen toxicity and CO₂ retention in susceptible clients. In a client receiving Oxygen therapy, flow rates should only be adjusted based on provider orders. Unregulated increases can lead to respiratory depression or oxygen-related injury.

B. Checking the tops of the ears for sores indicates correct understanding because nasal cannula tubing can cause pressure injury over time. Regular assessment helps detect early skin breakdown and allows for repositioning or padding to prevent ulcer formation. This is an important preventive measure in long-term oxygen therapy.

C. Removing the nasal cannula during meals is not necessary and may be harmful if the client requires continuous oxygen therapy. Oxygen delivery should be maintained unless otherwise prescribed, even during eating or drinking. Interrupting oxygen therapy can lead to hypoxemia in clients with respiratory compromise.

D. Using petroleum jelly is unsafe because it is oil-based and flammable in the presence of oxygen, increasing fire risk. Water-based lubricants should be used instead to moisten nasal passages. Fire safety is a critical teaching point in home oxygen therapy.

Dependent personality disorder is characterized by an excessive need to be taken care of, leading to submissive, clingy, and helpless behaviors. Individuals with this condition often struggle with independent decision-making and rely heavily on others for reassurance and direction. They may fear separation and have difficulty expressing disagreement due to concerns about losing support or approval. These behavioral patterns are consistent with long-standing maladaptive coping strategies related to interpersonal dependency.

Rationale:
A. Submissive behavior is a hallmark feature of dependent personality disorder. Clients often allow others to make decisions for them and may go to great lengths to avoid conflict or abandonment. This passive and compliant behavior reflects their deep fear of losing support and inability to function independently.

B. Perfectionistic behavior is more commonly associated with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. These clients are rigid, detail-focused, and excessively concerned with order and control rather than dependency on others. Therefore, this trait does not align with dependent personality disorder.

C. Reclusive behavior is typically seen in avoidant or schizoid personality disorders, where individuals withdraw socially due to fear of rejection or lack of interest in relationships. Dependent personality disorder, in contrast, is characterized by seeking closeness and reassurance rather than isolation.

D. Impulsive behavior is more characteristic of borderline personality disorder, where emotional instability and difficulty with self-regulation lead to risky or spontaneous actions. Dependent personality disorder does not primarily involve impulsivity but rather passivity and reliance on others for decision-making.