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
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Protecting the client from injury is the highest priority nursing action in this scenario. Here's a detailed rationale explaining the importance of this action:
1. Imminent Risk of Harm:
Acute anxiety can significantly impair judgment and impulse control, escalating the risk of self-harm or harm to others. It's crucial to prevent any actions that could result in physical injury, even if unintended.
2. Physiological Manifestations:
Anxiety can trigger physiological responses that heighten the potential for harm, such as: Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Hyperventilation Diaphoresis
Agitation and restlessness Dissociation
These physiological changes can contribute to accidents, falls, or other injuries.
3. Impaired Decision-Making:
Acute anxiety often clouds rational thinking and decision-making abilities.
Individuals may engage in behaviors they wouldn't consider in a calmer state, such as running away, lashing out, or attempting self-harm.
The nurse's role is to safeguard the client from potential consequences of these impulsive actions.
4. Establishing Safety as a Foundation for Care:
Ensuring physical safety creates a necessary foundation for subsequent interventions.
Once safety is established, the nurse can proceed with assessing coping skills, identifying anxiety triggers, and implementing therapeutic strategies.
5. Protecting Others:
In rare cases, acute anxiety can manifest in aggression towards others.
The nurse must protect not only the client but also other individuals who may be at risk.
6. Ethical and Legal Obligations:
Nurses have a professional duty to protect clients from harm, upholding ethical principles and legal standards of care.
7. Preventing Trauma:
Physical injuries sustained during a crisis can exacerbate anxiety and complicate recovery. Proactive safety measures aim to prevent further trauma and promote healing.
I'll provide detailed rationales for the other choices in separate messages to ensure clarity and comprehensiveness.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
This response is dismissive and judgmental. It implies that the client's partner was wrong to share the news, and it does not acknowledge the client's feelings. This could make the client feel even more isolated and unsupported.
It's important to remember that the client is likely experiencing a range of emotions, including shock, sadness, anger, and anxiety. The nurse's role is to provide support and validation, not to judge the client's feelings or the actions of their partner.
Choice B rationale:
This response demonstrates empathy and understanding. It acknowledges the client's feelings and invites them to share more about their experience. This can help the client to feel heard and supported.
By verbalizing the client's feelings, the nurse is helping them to process the news and begin to cope with the situation. This can be a valuable first step in helping the client to develop a plan for moving forward.
Choice C rationale:
This response is dismissive and unhelpful. It does not acknowledge the client's feelings, and it offers no support or guidance. This could make the client feel even more hopeless and helpless.
While it may be true that there is not much the client can do about the situation immediately, the nurse can still offer support and help the client to explore their options.
Choice D rationale:
This response is premature and potentially unrealistic. The client may not be ready to contact their boss yet, and there is no guarantee that their job will be available to them. This could set the client up for disappointment and further distress.
It's important to allow the client to process the news and consider their options before taking any action. The nurse can help the client to identify potential resources and supports, and to develop a plan that is right for them.
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