A nurse is caring for a client with OCD who is experiencing an anxiety attack. The client is saying, "I have to wash my hands! I have to wash my hands!" Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

"It's okay, you don't have to wash your hands.”

"I understand that you're feeling anxious. Let's talk about what's going on.”

"You need to calm down and stop thinking about washing your hands.”

"I'll help you wash your hands.”

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A rationale:

Telling the client "It's okay, you don't have to wash your hands" might invalidate the client's feelings and fears, leading to increased anxiety. The client's compulsion to wash their hands is driven by their obsessive thoughts, and dismissing this behavior can be counterproductive.

Choice B rationale:

The correct response acknowledges the client's anxiety and opens a conversation about their feelings. This approach helps build a therapeutic relationship and provides an opportunity for the client to express their concerns. It's essential to address the underlying anxieties associated with OCD to promote better coping strategies.

Choice C rationale:

Telling the client to "calm down and stop thinking about washing your hands" oversimplifies the situation. People with OCD often struggle with controlling their obsessive thoughts and compulsions, and such a directive can be ineffective and frustrating for the client.

Choice D rationale:

Offering to "help you wash your hands" reinforces the client's compulsion rather than addressing the root cause of their anxiety. Enabling their compulsive behavior can contribute to the maintenance of their OCD symptoms.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Family history of OCD is a significant risk factor for developing the disorder. Genetic predisposition plays a role in the etiology of OCD, with a higher likelihood of the disorder occurring in individuals who have close relatives (e.g., parents or siblings) with the condition. While environmental factors and life experiences can contribute to OCD, they are not as directly linked as the genetic component.

Choice B rationale:

History of childhood trauma can contribute to the development of various mental health disorders, including anxiety and OCD. However, the strongest association with OCD is the genetic component. While childhood trauma can exacerbate symptoms in individuals who are genetically predisposed, it is not the most likely finding in the medical record of a client with OCD.

Choice C rationale:

Head injury can lead to neurological and psychological changes, potentially contributing to various psychiatric conditions. However, the primary cause of OCD is not head injury. It is important to consider the presence of other factors, especially the genetic predisposition, when attributing OCD to a particular cause.

Choice D rationale:

Brain tumor is an organic condition that can cause neurological and psychological symptoms. However, brain tumors are not a common or primary cause of OCD. The focus in the etiology of OCD is on neurotransmitter imbalances, genetic factors, and brain circuitry, rather than structural brain abnormalities like tumors.

A. Obsessions and compulsions are aimed at reducing anxiety or distress. B. Obsessions and compulsions are consistent with the individual's self-image. C. The individual recognizes that obsessions and compulsions are irrational. D. Obsessions and compulsions may lead to positive emotional outcomes. E. Obsessions and compulsions cause impairment in daily functioning.

Correct Answer is ["A","C","E"]

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Obsessions and compulsions are aimed at reducing anxiety or distress. This statement accurately describes a characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Obsessions are intrusive and unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that cause significant distress, while compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts aimed at reducing the distress caused by the obsessions. These behaviors are performed in response to the distress and are intended to alleviate it. For example, if someone has an obsession about contamination, their compulsion might involve excessive hand washing to alleviate the anxiety associated with the obsession.

Choice B rationale:

Obsessions and compulsions are consistent with the individual's self-image. This statement is not accurate in differentiating OCD from other mental disorders. Obsessions and compulsions in OCD often involve themes that are inconsistent with the individual's self-image and are not representative of their true desires or intentions. For instance, someone with OCD might have obsessions about harming others, even if they have no actual desire to do so. These obsessions are not aligned with their self-image.

Choice C rationale:

The individual recognizes that obsessions and compulsions are irrational. This statement accurately describes another characteristic of OCD. People with OCD typically recognize that their obsessions and compulsions are irrational and unreasonable, but they feel compelled to engage in these behaviors to alleviate anxiety. This recognition of the irrational nature of their thoughts and actions is a distinguishing feature of OCD, differentiating it from other disorders where the person might not have such insight into the irrationality of their behaviors.

Choice D rationale:

Obsessions and compulsions may lead to positive emotional outcomes. This statement is not accurate in the context of OCD. Obsessions and compulsions are not aimed at achieving positive emotional outcomes. Instead, they are performed to reduce distress or anxiety. The relief gained from engaging in compulsions is temporary and often followed by a cycle of escalating compulsions to achieve the same level of relief, which contributes to the perpetuation of the disorder.

Choice E rationale:

Obsessions and compulsions cause impairment in daily functioning. This statement accurately describes another characteristic of OCD. The obsessions and compulsions associated with OCD can be time-consuming and interfere significantly with a person's daily activities, relationships, and overall quality of life. These behaviors can lead to impaired occupational and social functioning, making this statement a distinguishing feature of OCD.

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A nurse is caring for a client with OCD who is experiencing an anxiety attack. The client is saying, "I have to wash my hands! I have to wash my hands!" Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client with OCD. Which of the following findings is most likely to be present in the client's record?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

(Select All That Apply):. A nurse is assessing a client with suspected OCD. Which statements accurately describe characteristics of OCDs that help differentiate them from other mental disorders? Select all that apply.

Correct Answer is ["A","C","E"]

Explanation

A nurse is assessing a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) The client reports that they have been having recurrent thoughts about contamination. Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing diagnosis for this client?

A nurse is caring for a client with OCD who is refusing to leave their room because they are afraid of contamination. Which of the following interventions should the nurse prioritize?

A nurse is caring for a client with OCD who is receiving cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) Which of the following interventions is the nurse most likely to use?

A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with hoarding disorder. Which description accurately characterizes hoarding behavior?

(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 nurse is educating a client who has been diagnosed with various types of obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCDs) Select all the themes that can categorize obsessions and compulsions in individuals with OCD.

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

(Select All That Apply):. A nurse is teaching a group of patients about pharmacological interventions for OCDs. Which medications are commonly used to treat OCDs? Select all that apply.