A nurse is providing education to a client diagnosed with a specific phobia. Which medication class should the nurse include in the teaching plan?

Choice A rationale:

The client reporting decreased fear and anxiety related to phobias (Choice A) is a subjective outcome that might not accurately reflect the effectiveness of the nursing interventions. It relies solely on the client's self-report and might not provide an objective measure of improvement.

Choice B rationale:

The client demonstrating increased avoidance behavior (Choice B) is not an outcome aimed at reducing fear and anxiety. Increased avoidance behavior would actually indicate a worsening of the phobia-related symptoms, as the client is avoiding the feared stimulus more.

Choice C rationale:

The client engaging in exposure therapy without excessive distress (Choice C) is a desired outcome for interventions targeting phobias. Exposure therapy involves gradually exposing the client to the feared stimulus in a controlled manner. If the client can tolerate exposure without excessive distress, it indicates a positive response to the intervention and a reduction in fear and anxiety over time.

Choice D rationale:

The client applying cognitive-behavioral techniques ineffectively (Choice D) is not a desirable outcome. The goal of cognitive-behavioral techniques is to equip the client with effective coping strategies to manage their phobias. If the client is applying these techniques ineffectively, it indicates a need for further intervention or adjustment of the therapeutic approach.

Choice A rationale:

Antipsychotics are not commonly prescribed to manage anxiety and fear associated with phobias. Antipsychotics are primarily used to treat psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, and are not the first-line treatment for anxiety-related disorders.

Choice B rationale:

Antihistamines are not commonly prescribed for managing anxiety and fear associated with phobias. While some sedating antihistamines might have a calming effect, they are not the primary choice for treating anxiety. Antihistamines are more commonly used for allergies and sleep disturbances.

Choice C rationale:

Anticonvulsants are not typically prescribed for managing anxiety and fear associated with phobias. Anticonvulsants are used to treat conditions such as epilepsy and mood disorders like bipolar disorder, but they are not the first-line treatment for specific phobias.

Choice D rationale:

Antidepressants are commonly prescribed to manage anxiety and fear associated with phobias. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are commonly used antidepressants that can effectively reduce the symptoms of anxiety and phobias by influencing neurotransmitter levels in the brain. These medications help regulate mood and reduce excessive anxiety associated with phobias.