A nurse is caring for a client with OCD who is receiving cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) Which of the following interventions is the nurse most likely to use?
Exposure and response prevention.
Systematic desensitization.
Flooding.
Thought stopping.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
Exposure and response prevention is a cornerstone of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for OCD. It involves exposing the individual to anxiety-provoking situations (exposure) and then preventing the usual compulsive response that reduces anxiety (response prevention) This helps the individual learn that their feared outcomes are unlikely to occur and that their anxiety will diminish over time without engaging in rituals.
Choice B rationale:
Systematic desensitization is a technique used to treat phobias and anxiety disorders by gradually exposing the individual to their feared stimuli while teaching relaxation techniques. While it may have some applicability in OCD treatment, it is not as directly aligned with the core features of OCD as exposure and response prevention.
Choice C rationale:
Flooding is a therapeutic technique that involves exposing the individual to an extreme level of their fear in order to diminish the anxiety response over time. While this approach might be used in certain anxiety disorders, it is not typically the first-line intervention for OCD. Exposure and response prevention is a more gradual and controlled technique that is better suited for OCD treatment.
Choice D rationale:
Thought stopping involves interrupting obsessive thoughts by using cues or distractions. This technique is not as effective in treating OCD as exposure and response prevention, which directly addresses the connection between obsessions and compulsions. Thought stopping may not provide the individual with a comprehensive strategy for managing their OCD symptoms.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Telling the client to ignore the intrusive thoughts is not a therapeutic response. It dismisses the client's concerns and offers no constructive help in managing their distressing thoughts.
Choice B rationale:
Stating that intrusive thoughts are a normal part of everyone's thinking might invalidate the client's distress and does not provide practical strategies for dealing with their OCD symptoms.
Choice C rationale:
This is the correct choice. Acknowledging the client's concerns and offering to work on strategies to manage the thoughts is a therapeutic response. Collaboratively addressing the issue empowers the client to take an active role in their treatment.
Choice D rationale:
Dismissing the client's worries by saying there's no need to worry about the thoughts undermines their feelings and doesn't address the distress caused by the thoughts.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Encouraging the client to "talk about their fears" might be a beneficial intervention in some cases, but for individuals with OCD who are struggling with compulsive behaviors driven by their fears, directly addressing exposure to those fears is a more effective approach.
Choice B rationale:
While setting limits on the client's behavior is important, it may not be the priority in this situation. Instead, assisting the client in gradually confronting their fears through exposure therapy can help them develop healthier coping mechanisms.
Choice C rationale:
The correct response emphasizes gradual exposure therapy, a well-established approach in treating OCD. This intervention helps the client confront their fears in a controlled and systematic manner, leading to desensitization and reduction in their anxiety over time.
Choice D rationale:
Providing relaxation techniques can be helpful for managing anxiety, but for someone with OCD who is avoiding situations due to contamination fears, the primary intervention should focus on exposure therapy to address the specific OCD-related fears.
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