A client with OCD is experiencing distress and anxiety due to obsessions. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize to reduce the client's distress?

C.

Choice A rationale:

Providing physical care only. This choice is not the correct answer. Collaborating on care for a client with an eating disorder involves more than just providing physical care. Eating disorders are complex mental health issues that require a multidisciplinary approach, addressing both physical and psychological aspects.

Choice B rationale:

Sharing information and coordinating care. This is a correct answer. Collaborating with the multidisciplinary team is crucial in caring for clients with eating disorders. Sharing information and coordinating care among various healthcare professionals, such as therapists, dietitians, physicians, and psychologists, ensures a holistic approach to treatment. Eating disorders often have psychological, nutritional, and medical components that need to be addressed collectively.

Choice C rationale:

Making referrals exclusively to physicians. This choice is not entirely accurate. While physicians may be part of the multidisciplinary team, collaborating on eating disorder cases goes beyond just making referrals to physicians. Other specialists, such as therapists, dietitians, and psychologists, play essential roles in the comprehensive care of these clients.

Choice D rationale:

Administering medications without consulting others. This choice is not the correct answer. Administering medications without consulting the multidisciplinary team can be dangerous, especially in cases of eating disorders where medication management might interact with other aspects of treatment. Collaborative decision-making helps prevent adverse interactions and ensures that all aspects of care are considered.

Choice E rationale:

Participating in team meetings. This is a correct answer. Participating in team meetings is vital for effective collaboration in the care of clients with eating disorders. These meetings provide an opportunity to discuss the client's progress, adjust treatment plans, and share insights from different perspectives. Regular communication among team members promotes a well-rounded approach to care.

Choice A rationale:

Obsessions and compulsions are aimed at reducing anxiety or distress. This statement accurately describes a characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Obsessions are intrusive and unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that cause significant distress, while compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts aimed at reducing the distress caused by the obsessions. These behaviors are performed in response to the distress and are intended to alleviate it. For example, if someone has an obsession about contamination, their compulsion might involve excessive hand washing to alleviate the anxiety associated with the obsession.

Choice B rationale:

Obsessions and compulsions are consistent with the individual's self-image. This statement is not accurate in differentiating OCD from other mental disorders. Obsessions and compulsions in OCD often involve themes that are inconsistent with the individual's self-image and are not representative of their true desires or intentions. For instance, someone with OCD might have obsessions about harming others, even if they have no actual desire to do so. These obsessions are not aligned with their self-image.

Choice C rationale:

The individual recognizes that obsessions and compulsions are irrational. This statement accurately describes another characteristic of OCD. People with OCD typically recognize that their obsessions and compulsions are irrational and unreasonable, but they feel compelled to engage in these behaviors to alleviate anxiety. This recognition of the irrational nature of their thoughts and actions is a distinguishing feature of OCD, differentiating it from other disorders where the person might not have such insight into the irrationality of their behaviors.

Choice D rationale:

Obsessions and compulsions may lead to positive emotional outcomes. This statement is not accurate in the context of OCD. Obsessions and compulsions are not aimed at achieving positive emotional outcomes. Instead, they are performed to reduce distress or anxiety. The relief gained from engaging in compulsions is temporary and often followed by a cycle of escalating compulsions to achieve the same level of relief, which contributes to the perpetuation of the disorder.

Choice E rationale:

Obsessions and compulsions cause impairment in daily functioning. This statement accurately describes another characteristic of OCD. The obsessions and compulsions associated with OCD can be time-consuming and interfere significantly with a person's daily activities, relationships, and overall quality of life. These behaviors can lead to impaired occupational and social functioning, making this statement a distinguishing feature of OCD.