A home-health nurse is assessing a client who has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and finds that the client demonstrates constant repetitive cleaning. The nurse knows that this behavior is an attempt to accomplish which of the following?

Individuals with OCD often engage in compulsive behaviors, such as repetitive cleaning, as a way to alleviate or decrease anxiety associated with obsessive thoughts. In the context of OCD, obsessions are intrusive and distressing thoughts, images, or urges that cause significant anxiety, while compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed in response to the obsessions.

A. Decrease the time available for interaction with people:

While individuals with OCD may isolate themselves due to their symptoms, the primary motivation for repetitive behaviors like cleaning is to manage anxiety, not necessarily to avoid interaction with others.

B. Prevent aggressive and impulsive behaviors:

OCD compulsions are not typically aimed at preventing aggressive or impulsive behaviors. They are driven by the need to reduce distress related to obsessive thoughts.

C. Decrease anxiety:

This is the correct answer. Compulsive behaviors in OCD are often ritualistic actions performed to reduce the anxiety associated with obsessive thoughts. Cleaning, in this case, is a way for the individual to feel a sense of control and alleviate anxiety.

D. Manipulate others

The primary motive behind OCD compulsions is to manage personal anxiety, not to manipulate others. Individuals with OCD often recognize that their compulsions are excessive or irrational, but they feel driven to perform them to alleviate anxiety.

A. The voices are telling me to harm myself: This statement indicates command hallucinations with a potential for harm. It suggests that the patient is receiving directives to harm themselves, which poses an immediate safety concern. Implementing safety measures, such as close monitoring, removal of harmful objects, and involving appropriate professionals, is essential to protect the patient from self-harm.

B. I hear voices: While hearing voices (auditory hallucinations) is a symptom that requires assessment and intervention, the nature of the voices is crucial in determining the level of risk. This statement, on its own, does not provide information about the content or potential harm associated with the voices.

C. I see birds flying in the room: This statement describes a visual hallucination, which, while potentially distressing, does not necessarily pose an immediate safety risk to the patient or others. Visual hallucinations may be less likely to necessitate immediate safety measures compared to command hallucinations.

D. The voices don't stop and continue all day: This statement suggests persistent auditory hallucinations, but without information about the content of the voices, it does not specifically indicate a risk of harm. While it may be distressing for the patient, the urgency for safety measures depends on the nature of the auditory content.