A nurse is providing counseling for a family that consists of two parents and their two adolescent children.
Which of the following family members should the nurse identify as acting in the role of monopolizer?

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:

Requesting that the provider renew the prescription for restraints every 8 hours is not the best approach. The nurse should follow the facility's policies and protocols for the use of restraints, and these policies typically require that the provider assess the client within a specific timeframe after applying restraints. The provider's assessment should occur promptly to determine the client's continued need for restraints and to address the client's safety and well-being.

Choice C rationale:

Evaluating the client hourly while the restraints are applied is not sufficient. While it's important to monitor the client, especially in terms of circulation and comfort, the provider's assessment should take place within a shorter timeframe, typically within one hour after applying the restraints. Hourly evaluations alone may not be timely enough to address the client's condition and the necessity of the restraints.

Choice D rationale:

Obtaining a prescription for restraints on an as-needed basis is not an appropriate approach. Restraints should only be used when necessary to ensure the safety of the client or others, and their use should be based on a specific assessment by the provider. Using restraints on an as-needed basis without a clear prescription can lead to ethical and legal issues and should be avoided.