A patient has acute anxiety related to a car accident. The nurse knows the patient will need teaching about which medication category?

Choice A reason: Administering medications addresses symptoms pharmacologically but is not a core cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention. CBT focuses on modifying thoughts and behaviors, not drug therapy, making this choice incorrect for the specified theoretical approach.

Choice B reason: CBT targets negative thought patterns to modify maladaptive behaviors and emotions, central to treating anxiety. Challenging distorted cognitions helps the patient reframe perceptions, reducing withdrawal, aligning with CBT principles, making this the correct choice.

Choice C reason: Group therapy encourages social interaction but is not a primary CBT intervention. CBT focuses on individual cognitive restructuring, not group dynamics, making this choice less relevant for the specified theoretical approach to anxiety treatment.

Choice D reason: Relaxation techniques are adjunctive in CBT but not the primary focus. Challenging negative thoughts is the core intervention, directly addressing cognitive distortions driving anxiety, making relaxation a secondary approach and this choice incorrect.

Choice A reason: Suggesting the adolescent share with the psychiatrist avoids the nurse’s duty to report imminent threats. Ethical and legal standards require immediate action for safety, making this response inadequate, as it delays intervention in a potential crisis.

Choice B reason: Reporting a threat to harm others is a legal and ethical duty in psychiatric nursing, as it indicates imminent danger. Sharing with the team ensures safety interventions, aligning with mandatory reporting laws, making this the correct response.

Choice C reason: Discussing feelings is therapeutic but does not address the immediate safety risk of a threat. Prioritizing exploration over reporting violates ethical standards for managing dangerous behaviors, making this response incorrect in this context.

Choice D reason: Promising confidentiality in the face of a threat violates nursing ethics and legal mandates to report harm risks. This undermines patient and public safety, making it a non-therapeutic and incorrect response to a serious threat.