A nurse is caring for a client with OCD who is experiencing an anxiety attack. The client is saying, "I have to wash my hands! I have to wash my hands!" Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

"It's okay, you don't have to wash your hands.”

"I understand that you're feeling anxious. Let's talk about what's going on.”

"You need to calm down and stop thinking about washing your hands.”

"I'll help you wash your hands.”

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A rationale:

Telling the client "It's okay, you don't have to wash your hands" might invalidate the client's feelings and fears, leading to increased anxiety. The client's compulsion to wash their hands is driven by their obsessive thoughts, and dismissing this behavior can be counterproductive.

Choice B rationale:

The correct response acknowledges the client's anxiety and opens a conversation about their feelings. This approach helps build a therapeutic relationship and provides an opportunity for the client to express their concerns. It's essential to address the underlying anxieties associated with OCD to promote better coping strategies.

Choice C rationale:

Telling the client to "calm down and stop thinking about washing your hands" oversimplifies the situation. People with OCD often struggle with controlling their obsessive thoughts and compulsions, and such a directive can be ineffective and frustrating for the client.

Choice D rationale:

Offering to "help you wash your hands" reinforces the client's compulsion rather than addressing the root cause of their anxiety. Enabling their compulsive behavior can contribute to the maintenance of their OCD symptoms.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

This choice accurately reflects one of the criteria for diagnosing OCD. The obsessions (intrusive and distressing thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors or mental acts) experienced by individuals with OCD are usually connected to what they are trying to neutralize or prevent. For instance, if someone has an obsessive fear of contamination, their compulsions might involve excessive hand washing to neutralize this fear.

Choice B rationale:

While perfectionism and high standards can be associated with OCD, they are not a primary diagnostic criterion. OCD is characterized by the presence of obsessions and compulsions that cause distress and significantly interfere with a person's daily life.

Choice C rationale:

This option is incorrect. The disturbance in OCD is not attributed to the physiological effects of substances or other medical conditions. It is a distinct mental health condition that is not solely a result of substance use or another medical issue.

Choice D rationale:

This option is incorrect. The symptoms of OCD should not be better explained by the symptoms of another mental disorder. While comorbidities can exist, OCD has its own unique set of obsessions and compulsions that differentiate it from other mental disorders.

A. Venlafaxine. B. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). C. Risperidone. D. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). E. Dopamine agonists.

Correct Answer is ["C","D"]

Explanation

Choice C rationale:

Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic medication that is sometimes used as an augmentation strategy in treating OCD, particularly in cases where there are prominent obsessive-compulsive symptoms that are not well-controlled by other interventions. However, it's important to note that risperidone's use in OCD is off-label, meaning it's not approved by regulatory agencies specifically for OCD treatment.

Choice D rationale:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a cornerstone of pharmacological treatment for OCD. These medications, such as fluoxetine, sertraline, and fluvoxamine, increase the availability of serotonin in the brain and help alleviate obsessive-compulsive symptoms. They have been extensively studied and are considered first-line treatment options.

Choice A rationale:

Venlafaxine is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) commonly used to treat depression and anxiety disorders. While it may have some benefit for anxiety symptoms, including those related to OCD, it is not considered a first-line treatment for OCD. SSRIs have shown greater efficacy for OCD management.

Choice B rationale:

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) were among the first medications used to treat OCD. However, their side effect profiles and the availability of more effective and better-tolerated options, such as SSRIs, have led to TCAs being used less frequently for OCD treatment.

Choice E rationale:

Dopamine agonists are not commonly used for OCD treatment. In fact, they can potentially exacerbate symptoms, as imbalances in dopamine transmission are implicated in the pathophysiology of OCD. Using dopamine agonists without a clear rationale could worsen the condition.

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A nurse is caring for a client with OCD who is experiencing an anxiety attack. The client is saying, "I have to wash my hands! I have to wash my hands!" Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is explaining the diagnostic criteria for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to a group of nursing students. Which of the following statements accurately reflects one of the criteria for diagnosing OCD?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

(Select All That Apply):. A nurse is teaching a group of patients about pharmacological interventions for OCDs. Which medications are commonly used to treat OCDs? Select all that apply.

Correct Answer is ["C","D"]

Explanation

A client is being evaluated for potential OCD. The nurse explains the differential diagnosis process. Which observation supports the diagnosis of OCD rather than another mental disorder?

A nurse is educating a client who has been diagnosed with various types of obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCDs) Select all the themes that can categorize obsessions and compulsions in individuals with OCD.

A nurse is assessing a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) The client reports that they have been having recurrent thoughts about contamination. Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing diagnosis for this client?

A nurse is teaching a group of patients about treatment approaches for OCDs. Which statement accurately explains the rationale behind gradually increasing the dosage of medication during treatment?

A nurse is providing care to a client with trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder) What intervention would be most appropriate to include in the client's care plan?

A client with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is explaining their experiences to a nurse. Which statements by the client indicate symptoms of BDD? Select all that apply.

(Select All That Apply):. A nurse is assessing a group of clients for their understanding of treatment approaches for OCDs. Which options accurately describe cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and its components? Select all that apply.

A nurse is teaching a group of nursing students about the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCDs) Which brain circuit is thought to be involved in OCDs, and what are its main components responsible for regulating cognitive processes?