A nurse instructs a patient taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) drug to avoid certain foods and drugs because of the risk of which condition?

Choice A reason: Including the child in group activities promotes socialization but is not operant conditioning, which uses rewards to reinforce specific behaviors like speech. This approach lacks direct reinforcement, making it ineffective for the targeted behavior, thus incorrect.

Choice B reason: Observing others talking may model behavior but is not operant conditioning, which requires direct reinforcement of the desired action (speech). Passive observation does not provide the reward structure needed to encourage speech, making this choice incorrect.

Choice C reason: Operant conditioning uses positive reinforcement, like giving a treat for speaking, to increase the desired behavior. This directly rewards the child’s speech, aligning with behavioral psychology principles to encourage verbalization, making this the correct choice.

Choice D reason: Relaxation techniques address anxiety but are not operant conditioning, which focuses on reinforcing specific behaviors with rewards. They do not directly encourage speech, making this choice incorrect for the behavioral approach specified in the treatment plan.

Choice A reason: Cultural skill refers to the ability to apply cultural knowledge in practice, such as conducting culturally sensitive assessments. It focuses on actionable skills, not self-examination of beliefs, which is a distinct process of internal reflection, making this choice incorrect for the described behavior.

Choice B reason: Cultural knowledge involves understanding cultural facts and differences, not introspective analysis of personal beliefs. It focuses on external information rather than self-awareness, which is critical for examining one’s own values, making this choice incorrect for the nurse’s behavior.

Choice C reason: Cultural awareness involves self-examination of personal beliefs, values, and biases, recognizing their impact on care. This introspective process is essential in psychiatric nursing to ensure unbiased patient interactions, aligning with the described behavior, making this the correct choice.

Choice D reason: Cultural competence encompasses knowledge, skills, and awareness to provide effective care across cultures. While it includes self-examination, it is broader than the specific act of reflecting on personal beliefs, making cultural awareness the more precise term for the described behavior.