A mental health nurse is preparing a client who has chronic anxiety for discharge from the psychiatric unit. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the client's discharge plan?

Rationale for Choice A:

Pacing can be a physical manifestation of anxiety. It allows individuals to release some of the nervous energy that builds up during anxious moments. Restricting this behavior can potentially escalate anxiety.

Walking with the client can provide a sense of safety and support. It demonstrates to the client that they are not alone in their anxiety and that the nurse is there to help them.

Gradually slowing the pace of the walk can help to regulate the client's breathing and heart rate. This can have a calming effect on both the body and mind.

Walking can also be a form of distraction. It can help to take the client's mind off of their worries and focus on the present moment.

Walking can help to release endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. This can help to counteract some of the negative emotions associated with anxiety.

Rationale for Choice B:

Escorting the client to their room may be perceived as restrictive and controlling. This could potentially increase the client's anxiety.

Removing the client from the public area of the unit may isolate them from other people and activities. This could make them feel more alone and anxious.

Rationale for Choice C:

Allowing the client to pace alone may not be safe. The client could potentially become agitated or injure themselves.

Pacing alone does not provide the client with any support or guidance. This could make it more difficult for them to manage their anxiety.

Rationale for Choice D:

Instructing the client to sit down and stop pacing may be perceived as dismissive and unhelpful. It does not address the underlying causes of the client's anxiety.

Forcing the client to stop pacing could potentially escalate their anxiety. This could lead to agitation, aggression, or other negative behaviors.

Choice A rationale: Fear of rejection from staff is not typically a driving factor for the repetitive behaviors seen in OCD. While social anxiety can be a component of many mental health disorders, the compulsions in OCD are usually driven by intrusive thoughts or fears that are specific to the individual, rather than fears about social rejection.

Choice B rationale: Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a separate condition from OCD. While individuals with NPD may exhibit certain repetitive behaviors, these are typically driven by a need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others, rather than the intrusive thoughts and fears that drive the compulsions in OCD12.

Choice C rationale: While certain medications can have side effects that might cause unusual behaviors, the repetitive behaviors (compulsions) seen in OCD are not typically a side effect of antidepressant medications. In fact, certain types of antidepressants are often used in the treatment of OCD12.

Choice D rationale: The repetitive behaviors observed in individuals with OCD, such as repeatedly applying, removing, and reapplying makeup, are indeed attempts to reduce anxiety. These individuals experience intrusive thoughts, fears, or images (obsessions) that cause significant anxiety. The repetitive behaviors (compulsions) are performed in an attempt to alleviate the distress caused by these obsessions. Despite the temporary relief, the individual often ends up trapped in a cycle of obsessions and compulsions.