A nurse in a mental health facility is planning care for a client who has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and is newly admitted to the unit.
Which of the following actions should the mental health nurse plan to take regarding the client's compulsive behaviors?

Choice A rationale:

Deflecting the client's concerns to the physician dismisses the client's immediate need for emotional support and therapeutic communication.

It can hinder the development of a trusting nurse-client relationship.

The nurse is responsible for addressing the client's psychosocial needs, not solely deferring them to other healthcare professionals.

Choice B rationale:

Offering false reassurance is inappropriate and potentially harmful. It can erode trust if the client's fears are later realized.

It minimizes the client's legitimate concerns and invalidates their emotional experience.

Choice C rationale:

While lifestyle modifications are essential for managing coronary artery disease, providing unsolicited advice at this moment disregards the client's emotional distress.

It prioritizes physical health over the client's psychological well-being. It can be perceived as dismissive of the client's fears and concerns.

Choice D rationale:

Inviting the client to elaborate on their fears demonstrates active listening and encourages therapeutic communication. It validates the client's concerns and shows empathy for their emotional experience.

It provides an opportunity to assess the client's understanding of their condition and identify specific fears or misconceptions. It establishes a foundation for exploring coping mechanisms and providing appropriate support and education.

The correct answer/s is:

C. Give positive feedback when the client is assertive with staff or clients.

Rationale for Choice A:

While setting limits is an important aspect of nursing care, it's not specifically targeted towards the core challenges of dependent personality disorder. The primary concern in this case is the client's excessive reliance on others and inability to function independently. Setting limits might be perceived as a rejection or abandonment, potentially exacerbating the client's distress and anxiety. Additionally, focusing on preventing the exploitation of other clients shifts the attention away from the client's individual needs and goals.

Rationale for Choice B:

While self-mutilation is a potential risk in some individuals with dependent personality disorder, it's not a defining characteristic or the most prevalent concern. Continuous close monitoring can be intrusive and undermine the client's sense of autonomy. It's more effective to build trust and establish open communication where the client feels comfortable expressing distress and seeking help before resorting to self-harm.

Rationale for Choice C:

Assertiveness is a key skill to cultivate in individuals with dependent personality disorder. It empowers them to express their needs and desires appropriately, reducing their reliance on others and fostering healthy relationships. Offering positive reinforcement when the client exhibits assertive behavior, even in small steps, strengthens this skill and motivates them to continue their progress. This positive reinforcement approach aligns with therapeutic interventions for dependent personality disorder, which focus on building self-confidence and fostering independent functioning.

Rationale for Choice D:

Discouraging flamboyant or seductive behaviors might seem relevant because some individuals with dependent personality disorder might resort to attention-seeking tactics. However, such an approach risks shaming or judging the client, potentially increasing their feelings of inadequacy and insecurity. It's important to understand the underlying reason behind these behaviors, which could be a desperate attempt to gain approval or validation. Addressing the core issue of low self-esteem and encouraging authentic self-expression are more productive strategies than simply suppressing certain behaviors.

Additional Notes:

In addition to the rationales for each choice, it's important to consider the overall treatment goals for dependent personality disorder. These goals typically include:

Reduced dependence on others: Encouraging the client to take responsibility for their own needs and decisions. Improved assertiveness skills: Enabling the client to express their wishes and opinions confidently.

Enhanced self-esteem: Building the client's confidence and sense of self-worth.

Developing healthy relationships: Fostering interactions based on mutual respect and independence.

When planning care for a client with dependent personality disorder, the nurse should collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as therapists and social workers, to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated approach.