A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who has a new prescription for lithium. Which of the following interventions should the nurse recommend?

A. This statement suggests a potential for victim-blaming or placing responsibility on the adolescent for the assault. It does not reflect a positive support system because it may contribute to feelings of guilt and shame in the adolescent. Victims of sexual assault should not be made to feel responsible for the actions of the perpetrator.
B. While encouraging the adolescent to focus on the future can be positive, solely focusing on the future without acknowledging or processing the trauma of the assault may invalidate the adolescent's current feelings and experiences. A supportive approach involves acknowledging and validating the adolescent's emotions and experiences, both past and present.
C. This statement may come from a place of concern for the adolescent's safety and well-being, which is understandable. However, it can also indicate a lack of trust or an overprotective stance that may not fully empower the adolescent to regain a sense of control over their life and decisions.
D. This statement demonstrates an understanding of common reactions and emotions experienced by individuals who have been sexually assaulted. Acknowledging that the adolescent may feel self-blame can be a way to open up discussions about these feelings and reassure the adolescent that they are not at fault. It shows empathy and readiness to support the adolescent emotionally.

A. While medications like SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) or benzodiazepines may eventually be part of the treatment plan for OCD, administering medication should not be the first action unless the client is in acute distress or experiencing severe anxiety symptoms that require immediate pharmacological intervention.
B. This option involves assessing the severity of anxiety symptoms, which is important for understanding the client's baseline anxiety level. However, calculating this score is not the first action. It can be done later as part of the comprehensive assessment to guide ongoing treatment planning.
C. Relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation, can help manage anxiety symptoms in clients with OCD. However, before initiating specific interventions like relaxation exercises, the nurse should first establish rapport, assess the client's current level of distress, and gather information about the client's symptoms and coping mechanisms.
D. Response prevention is a cognitive-behavioral therapy technique used in the treatment of OCD, where clients are prevented from engaging in compulsive behaviors. This should follow after thorough assessment of the actual psychological state of the client.