A client with OCD is experiencing distress and anxiety due to obsessions. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize to reduce the client's distress?

Teaching the client about the history of OCD.

Assisting the client with relaxation techniques.

Providing information about medication options.

Initiating exposure therapy sessions.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A rationale:

Teaching the client about the history of OCD might provide insight into the disorder's background, but it is not the priority when the client is currently experiencing distress. Addressing the immediate distress takes precedence over historical information.

Choice B rationale:

This choice is correct because relaxation techniques can help alleviate the client's distress in the moment. These techniques, such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or mindfulness exercises, can help the client manage their anxiety and reduce the impact of obsessive thoughts.

Choice C rationale:

While providing information about medication options is important, it might not be the initial intervention when the client is in a state of distress. Medication discussions are typically part of a comprehensive treatment plan and should be addressed after addressing the client's immediate distress.

Choice D rationale:

Initiating exposure therapy sessions might exacerbate the client's distress at this point. Exposure therapy involves deliberately confronting feared situations, and it's important to prepare the client for this type of intervention before initiating it. Starting with relaxation techniques is a more appropriate approach.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

The limbic circuit consisting of the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus is not the main brain circuit involved in obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCDs) The limbic circuit is more closely associated with emotions and memory, rather than the cognitive processes that drive OCD symptoms.

Choice B rationale:

The central executive circuit comprising the prefrontal cortex and temporal lobes is responsible for higher-level cognitive functions like decision-making and working memory. However, this circuit is not primarily implicated in the pathophysiology of OCD.

Choice C rationale:

The correct choice. The cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) circuit plays a central role in the development of OCD. This circuit involves several key components: Orbitofrontal cortex: Responsible for assessing potential risks and rewards, and for decision-making. Anterior cingulate cortex: Involved in error detection, emotional processing, and regulating cognitive flexibility. Striatum: Responsible for habit formation and reward-based learning. Thalamus: Acts as a relay station for information between various brain regions. This circuit's malfunction can lead to repetitive behaviors and intrusive thoughts characteristic of OCD.

Choice D rationale:

The ventral tegmental circuit involving the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area is primarily associated with the brain's reward system and the regulation of mood and motivation. It is not a key player in OCD's pathophysiology.

A. "You need to stop these behaviors immediately to overcome your disorder.” B. "Try to distract yourself whenever you feel the urge to perform a compulsion.” C. "It's important to give in to your compulsions to relieve your anxiety.” D. "Let's work together to develop strategies to gradually reduce these behaviors over time.”

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

The nurse should not tell the client to stop their behaviors immediately, as this approach is likely to increase anxiety and distress. Individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) often find it challenging to abruptly stop their compulsions, and attempting to do so can lead to heightened anxiety.

Choice B rationale:

Distracting oneself from the urge to perform compulsions might provide temporary relief, but it does not address the underlying issues of OCD. It is essential to work on strategies that target the reduction of compulsions and the management of anxiety associated with them.

Choice C rationale:

Giving in to compulsions might temporarily relieve anxiety, but it reinforces the cycle of OCD behavior. Encouraging the client to give in to compulsions is counterproductive to the treatment of OCD, which involves breaking the pattern of compulsive behavior.

Choice D rationale:

This is the correct choice. Collaboratively developing strategies to gradually reduce compulsive behaviors is a standard approach in treating OCD. This method is aligned with exposure and response prevention therapy, a well-established treatment for OCD. By gradually facing the situations that trigger obsessive thoughts and then refraining from performing compulsions, clients can learn to manage their anxiety and reduce their reliance on compulsive behaviors.

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A client with OCD is experiencing distress and anxiety due to obsessions. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize to reduce the client's distress?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is teaching a group of nursing students about the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCDs) Which brain circuit is thought to be involved in OCDs, and what are its main components responsible for regulating cognitive processes?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is providing care for a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Which statement by the nurse would be most appropriate in this situation?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is assessing a client who has been diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Which statement by the client indicates an obsession?

A client with OCD is telling the nurse about their symptoms. Which of the following statements is most likely made by the client?

A nurse is explaining the diagnostic criteria for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to a group of nursing students. Which of the following statements accurately reflects one of the criteria for diagnosing OCD?

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?

A nurse is caring for a client with OCD who is taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) The client reports that they are having difficulty sleeping. Which of the following interventions should the nurse recommend?

(Select all that apply) A nurse is implementing interventions for a patient with OCD based on the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) Which interventions would the nurse include for this patient?

A client with OCD is experiencing distress and anxiety due to obsessions. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize to reduce the client's distress?

A nurse is assisting a patient with OCD in developing a hierarchy of feared stimuli for exposure therapy. Which statement by the nurse is appropriate during this process?