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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
"SSRIs primarily target glutamate modulation in the brain." This statement is inaccurate. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) primarily target the modulation of serotonin levels in the brain, not glutamate. These medications work by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, which increases the availability of serotonin in the synaptic cleft and helps regulate mood and anxiety.
Choice B rationale:
"SSRIs work by increasing the availability of serotonin in the brain to reduce obsessions and compulsions." This statement accurately describes the role of SSRIs in treating OCD. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in mood regulation, and imbalances in serotonin have been implicated in OCD. By increasing the availability of serotonin in the brain, SSRIs can help reduce the frequency and intensity of obsessions and compulsions.
Choice C rationale:
"SSRIs are used to enhance positive emotional outcomes in individuals with OCD." This statement is not accurate. While SSRIs can improve mood and reduce anxiety, their primary role in treating OCD is to alleviate the symptoms of obsessions and compulsions by affecting neurotransmitter levels. They are not specifically used to enhance positive emotional outcomes.
Choice D rationale:
"SSRIs are reserved for individuals who have ego-syntonic obsessions and compulsions." This statement is incorrect. Ego-syntonic obsessions and compulsions are those that are consistent with a person's self-image and beliefs, and individuals may not feel a strong need to resist or change them. SSRIs are used to treat both ego-dystonic (inconsistent with self-image) and ego-syntonic obsessions and compulsions in OCD, as these medications target the underlying neurochemical imbalances that contribute to the disorder's symptoms.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The statement "I have to check the locks on the door 10 times before I can leave my house" is indicative of checking compulsions often seen in OCD. This involves repetitive behaviors performed to reduce distress, such as checking locks multiple times. However, this choice is less likely because it focuses on checking rather than washing.
Choice B rationale:
The correct answer. This statement reflects a common manifestation of OCD, specifically contamination-related obsessions and cleaning compulsions. The client's fear of getting sick from not washing their hands is a classic example of obsessive thoughts leading to repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety.
Choice C rationale:
The statement "I think I'm going crazy because I keep thinking about these things" indicates the presence of intrusive and distressing thoughts, which are characteristic of OCD. However, this choice does not encompass the compulsive behaviors that are essential for an OCD diagnosis. It primarily highlights the emotional distress associated with the thoughts.
Choice D rationale:
The statement "I'm not sure if I'm really sick or if I'm just imagining it" suggests uncertainty and doubt, which are common features of OCD. However, this choice does not emphasize the typical compulsions that accompany OCD. It focuses more on self-doubt rather than specific ritualistic behaviors.
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