A nurse is providing behavioral therapy for a client who has obsessive-compulsive disorder.
The client repeatedly checks that the doors are locked at night.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse give the client when using thought stopping technique?

Choice A rationale:

"Snap a rubber band on your wrist when you think about checking the locks.”. This choice suggests using a painful stimulus (the rubber band snap) as part of the thought-stopping technique. While it may interrupt the client's behavior temporarily, it is not a recommended or ethical approach, as it can cause harm and distress to the client.

Choice B rationale:

"Keep a journal of how often you check the locks each night.”. Keeping a journal may be useful for tracking behavior patterns, but it doesn't address the core issue of obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is essential to provide the client with a more active technique for managing their compulsions, like the one mentioned in choice C.

Choice D rationale:

"Ask a family member to check the locks for you at night.”. This choice does not promote independence or self-management, which is an important goal in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder. It may alleviate the client's anxiety temporarily but does not help the client develop skills to manage their obsessive-compulsive tendencies on their own.

Choice C rationale:

"Focus on abdominal breathing whenever you go to check the locks.”. This response is the most appropriate because it recommends a self-soothing and grounding technique (abdominal breathing) to help the client manage their obsessive thoughts and compulsions. It encourages the client to be more mindful and reduce the urge to perform repetitive behaviors, which is a key aspect of treating obsessive-compulsive disorder. .

Choice A rationale:

Asking the client to describe what makes them feel stressed is important for understanding their situation, but it is not the immediate priority when there is concern about self-harm.

Choice B rationale:

Inquiring about the client's past coping mechanisms is relevant, but it should not be the first question when there is a potential risk of self-harm.

Choice C rationale:

Discussing what the client is experiencing is important, but it is not the primary concern when there is a risk of self-harm.

Choice D rationale:

Asking the client if they are thinking of harming themselves is the immediate priority in this situation. It helps assess the client's safety and the need for further intervention. Please let me know if you have more questions or need further explanations. .