A nurse is caring for a client who has bulimia nervosa. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Choice A reason:

Goal – oriented is the correct answer. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is a personality disorder characterized by a pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control. Individuals with OCPD tend to be highly organized, detail-oriented, and focused on achieving their goals. They often set strict standards for themselves and others and are driven by a strong need for perfection in all aspects of their lives.

Choice B reason

Provocative behaviour is not a characteristic commonly associated with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD). In fact, individuals with OCPD tend to be more reserved, cautious, and serious in their interactions with others.

Choice C reason:

Lack of empathy While individuals with OCPD may struggle with interpersonal relationships due to their rigid standards and expectations, they typically do not lack empathy. They might find it challenging to understand and relate to emotions or perspectives that do not align with their own, but this is different from a complete lack of empathy, which is more commonly seen in certain other personality disorders

Choice D reason.

Lability refers to emotional instability or rapid and extreme shifts in emotions. This is not a typical feature of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD). Individuals with OCPD tend to be emotionally restrained and might have difficulty expressing emotions, rather than experiencing emotional lability.

The correct answer is C. Hearing voices is a common symptom of psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia. The nurse should first assess if the client is at risk of harming themselves or others due to the content of the voices. This is a priority intervention that can help prevent potential violence or suicide. The other statements are not appropriate as initial responses. A walk outside may not stop the voices and may expose the client to more stimuli that could worsen their condition. Asking the client to listen to the nurse instead of the voices may be perceived as dismissive or challenging by the client. Acknowledging that the voices are real to the client but not to the nurse may help establish rapport, but it does not address the urgency of assessing for safety.