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?
Plan the client's schedule to allow time for rituals.
Set strict limits on the behaviors so that the client can conform to the unit rules and schedules.
Confront the client about the senseless nature of the repetitive behaviors.
Isolate the client for a period of time.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
1. Understanding OCD:
OCD is a chronic mental health condition characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).
Individuals with OCD feel compelled to perform rituals to relieve anxiety or prevent perceived harm, even if they recognize the behaviors as excessive or irrational.
Rituals can consume significant time and interfere with daily functioning.
2. Rationale for Choice A:
Acknowledges the client's needs: Planning for rituals demonstrates understanding and acceptance of the client's experience, fostering trust and rapport.
Reduces anxiety: Allowing time for rituals can temporarily reduce anxiety, making the client more receptive to other interventions.
Gradual approach: It's a stepping stone towards Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold-standard treatment for OCD.
Enhances control: Scheduling rituals can help the client feel more in control, reducing the urge to engage in them compulsively.
3. Addressing potential concerns:
Reinforcing rituals: While there's a possibility of temporarily reinforcing rituals, it's a necessary first step to build trust and engagement in therapy.
Interfering with treatment: Scheduling rituals is a part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes ERP and other therapies to address the underlying causes of OCD.
4. Importance of individualized care:
The specific approach to planning for rituals should be tailored to the client's unique needs, preferences, and severity of symptoms.
Collaboration with the client is essential to ensure their active participation in treatment. I'll now address the rationales for the incorrect choices:
Choice B rationale:
Setting strict limits on behaviors can be counterproductive: Triggers anxiety and distress
Impedes trust and therapeutic alliance Diminishes sense of control
Heightens resistance to treatment
Choice C rationale:
Confronting the client about the senselessness of rituals is ineffective and potentially harmful: Exacerbates anxiety and shame
Alienates the client
Disregards the involuntary nature of OCD Undermines motivation for treatment Choice D rationale:
Isolating the client is unethical and detrimental:
Increases distress and loneliness Impedes therapeutic interactions Reinforces negative self-perceptions
Lacks evidence of efficacy in OCD treatment
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer/s is C
Choice A rationale: Hyperkalemia, or high potassium levels in the blood, is not typically associated with anorexia nervosa. In fact, individuals with anorexia nervosa are more likely to experience hypokalemia, or low potassium levels, due to inadequate dietary intake and excessive loss of potassium through vomiting or use of diuretics1.
Choice B rationale: Metrorrhagia, or irregular menstrual bleeding between periods, can occur in females with anorexia nervosa due to hormonal imbalances caused by extreme weight loss and malnutrition. However, amenorrhea, or the absence of menstruation, is more commonly observed1.
Choice C rationale: Lanugo, which is fine, soft hair that grows on the face and body, is a common finding in individuals with anorexia nervosa. It is the body’s response to severe weight loss and starvation as an attempt to provide insulation and maintain body temperature1.
Choice D rationale: Tachycardia, or a rapid heart rate, is not typically associated with anorexia nervosa. Instead, individuals with anorexia nervosa often experience bradycardia, or a slower than normal heart rate, as the body’s response to starvation1.
Correct Answer is ["B","D","E"]
Explanation
Choice B rationale:
Male gender is a significant risk factor for suicide. Men are more likely to die by suicide than women, with rates being approximately 3.5 times higher in men than women in the United States.
Several factors contribute to this increased risk:
Men are less likely to seek help for mental health issues. This may be due to societal expectations of masculinity, which often discourage men from expressing emotions or seeking help for emotional distress.
Men are more likely to use more lethal means of suicide. For example, men are more likely to use firearms, which have a higher fatality rate than other methods such as poisoning or cutting.
Men may be more likely to experience social isolation and loneliness. These factors can increase the risk of suicide, as they can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair.
Men may be more likely to experience substance abuse problems. Substance abuse can increase the risk of suicide, as it can impair judgment and impulse control, and can also lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair.
Choice C rationale:
Recent marriage is not a risk factor for suicide. In fact, some studies have shown that marriage may have a protective effect against suicide.
However, it's important to note that relationship problems, including separation, divorce, or domestic violence, can be significant risk factors for suicide.
Choice D rationale:
Age greater than 55 is a risk factor for suicide. Suicide rates are highest among older adults, particularly among men aged 85 and older.
Several factors contribute to this increased risk:
Older adults are more likely to experience chronic health conditions and pain. These conditions can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair, and can also make it more difficult to cope with stress.
Older adults are more likely to experience social isolation and loneliness. These factors can increase the risk of suicide, as they can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair.
Older adults are more likely to experience bereavement and loss. The loss of a spouse, family members, or friends can be a major stressor, and can increase the risk of suicide.
Choice E rationale:
Diagnosis of schizophrenia is a significant risk factor for suicide.
People with schizophrenia are approximately 10 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population. Several factors contribute to this increased risk:
Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness that can cause significant distress and impairment.
People with schizophrenia may experience hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. These symptoms can be very distressing and can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair.
People with schizophrenia may also experience social isolation and stigma. These factors can further increase the risk of suicide.
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