A client with OCD is concerned about their intrusive thoughts and the impact on their daily life. How should the nurse respond to the client's concerns?
"You should ignore these thoughts; they will eventually go away.”
"Intrusive thoughts are a normal part of everyone's thinking.”
"Let's work on strategies to manage these thoughts and reduce their impact.”
"There's no need to worry about these thoughts; they won't affect you.”
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale:
Telling the client to ignore the intrusive thoughts is not a therapeutic response. It dismisses the client's concerns and offers no constructive help in managing their distressing thoughts.
Choice B rationale:
Stating that intrusive thoughts are a normal part of everyone's thinking might invalidate the client's distress and does not provide practical strategies for dealing with their OCD symptoms.
Choice C rationale:
This is the correct choice. Acknowledging the client's concerns and offering to work on strategies to manage the thoughts is a therapeutic response. Collaboratively addressing the issue empowers the client to take an active role in their treatment.
Choice D rationale:
Dismissing the client's worries by saying there's no need to worry about the thoughts undermines their feelings and doesn't address the distress caused by the thoughts.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The statement that higher medication doses are needed to quickly suppress all obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors is not accurate. Medication dosages are adjusted based on individual response and tolerability, and the goal is not necessarily to use the highest dose possible.
Choice B rationale:
The correct answer. Starting with a low dose is a common practice in psychiatric medication management. This helps the body adjust to the medication gradually, reducing the likelihood and severity of side effects. As the body becomes accustomed to the medication, the dose can be gradually increased to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.
Choice C rationale:
The goal of achieving complete relief from obsessions and compulsions within a few days is an unrealistic expectation. Psychiatric medications typically require time to take effect, often several weeks, and complete relief might not occur for all individuals.
Choice D rationale:
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The statement "I always arrange my books on the shelf from tallest to shortest" doesn't indicate an obsession. This behavior might suggest a preference for orderliness or arranging things systematically, but it lacks the distressing, unwanted nature of obsessions.
Choice B rationale:
"I feel an overwhelming urge to wash my hands every 30 minutes" indicates a compulsion rather than an obsession. The urge to wash hands frequently is driven by the need to alleviate anxiety or distress, which is the hallmark of compulsive behaviors.
Choice C rationale:
"I have a ritual of counting to 10 before entering any room" is also a compulsion. The ritual of counting serves as a way to reduce anxiety or prevent a feared outcome associated with entering a room, suggesting a compulsive behavior.
Choice D rationale:
The statement "I keep having thoughts that my family will get hurt if I don't touch the doorknob three times" reflects an obsession. The distressing thought of family harm is the unwanted obsession, and the ritual of touching the doorknob three times is the compulsion aimed at reducing the anxiety caused by the obsession.
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