A nurse is planning care for a client with a phobia. Which nursing intervention is appropriate for this client?
Encouraging the client to face their fear gradually.
Administering benzodiazepines as needed for acute anxiety.
Providing psychoeducation about the causes and effects of phobias.
Teaching the client relaxation techniques to manage anxiety.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
Encouraging the client to face their fear gradually is a cornerstone of exposure therapy, a proven psychological approach for treating phobias. Gradual exposure helps the client confront their fears in a controlled manner, allowing them to build tolerance and reduce anxiety over time.
Choice B rationale:
Administering benzodiazepines as needed for acute anxiety (choice B) is not the first-line intervention for treating phobias. While benzodiazepines can provide rapid relief from acute anxiety, they do not address the underlying phobia and can lead to dependence if used excessively.
Choice C rationale:
Providing psychoeducation about the causes and effects of phobias is valuable, but it alone might not be as effective as exposure therapy or other evidence-based treatments. Educating the client about the nature of phobias can complement their treatment plan.
Choice D rationale:
Teaching the client relaxation techniques to manage anxiety is beneficial but might not be as effective as exposure therapy for addressing phobias directly. Relaxation techniques can be useful in managing general anxiety, but specific phobias are best treated with exposure-based interventions.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
This response is appropriate as it aligns with the principles of exposure therapy. Exposure therapy involves gradually confronting feared situations to reduce anxiety over time. By encouraging the client to face their fears and expose themselves to anxiety-provoking situations in a controlled manner, they can learn that their anxiety decreases over time.
Choice B rationale:
This response is counterproductive and not recommended. Avoiding situations that trigger anxiety can actually reinforce the fear and make it more difficult for the client to cope with their agoraphobia. Avoidance prevents the client from learning that their fear is manageable.
Choice C rationale:
While distraction techniques can be helpful for managing anxiety in the moment, they do not address the underlying fear associated with agoraphobia. Encouraging distraction as the primary coping strategy might hinder the client's progress in overcoming their fear.
Choice D rationale:
This response promotes avoidance, which is not a recommended approach in treating anxiety disorders like agoraphobia. Avoiding situations altogether can worsen the fear and limit the client's ability to engage in normal activities.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Exposure therapy is indeed a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) It involves systematically exposing individuals to the feared object or situation in a controlled and gradual manner. The goal is to reduce their anxiety or fear response over time through repeated exposures. By confronting their fears, individuals can learn that their anxiety decreases over time, leading to behavioral changes.
Choice B rationale:
While cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) often includes challenging irrational thoughts and beliefs, exposure therapy primarily focuses on the behavioral aspect of fear reduction through systematic exposure. Cognitive restructuring, which addresses irrational beliefs, is a distinct component of CBT but not the primary emphasis of exposure therapy.
Choice C rationale:
Exposure therapy does not inherently involve teaching clients relaxation techniques. Instead, it centers on controlled exposure to the feared stimulus to weaken the fear response. Relaxation techniques might be used in some cases to help manage anxiety, but they are not a defining characteristic of exposure therapy.
Choice D rationale:
Although exposure therapy can be effective for various phobias, it is not exclusive to social phobias. It can be applied to specific phobias, agoraphobia, and other anxiety disorders as well.
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