A newly admitted patient is severely depressed, lost 20 pounds over the past month, and expresses hopelessness for the future. Select the priority nursing diagnosis

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. "This therapy will increase the client's motivation to gain weight": Behavior modification focuses on changing specific behaviors through reinforcement or consequences. While motivation may be a component, the primary goal of behavior modification is to address and modify specific behaviors, such as eating habits, rather than solely relying on motivation.

B. "This therapy will provide the client with control over behavioral choices": Anorexia nervosa often involves issues of control, and behavior modification can empower the individual to regain control over their eating behaviors in a structured and supportive manner. It involves setting goals, reinforcing positive behaviors, and providing a sense of control within the therapeutic framework.

C. "This therapy will reward the client for perfectionist achievement": While anorexia nervosa is associated with perfectionism, rewarding for perfectionist achievement may inadvertently reinforce unhealthy behaviors. Behavior modification aims to promote positive behaviors related to health and well-being rather than reinforcing perfectionism.

D. "This therapy will protect the client from parental overindulgence": Behavior modification is not primarily focused on protecting the client from external factors like parental overindulgence. Instead, it aims to modify specific behaviors through positive reinforcement or consequences.