A nurse in a mental health facility is planning care for a client who has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and is newly admitted to the unit.
Which of the following actions should the mental health nurse plan to take regarding the client's compulsive behaviors?
Plan the client's schedule to allow time for rituals.
Set strict limits on the behaviors so that the client can conform to the unit rules and schedules.
Confront the client about the senseless nature of the repetitive behaviors.
Isolate the client for a period of time.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
1. Understanding OCD:
OCD is a chronic mental health condition characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).
Individuals with OCD feel compelled to perform rituals to relieve anxiety or prevent perceived harm, even if they recognize the behaviors as excessive or irrational.
Rituals can consume significant time and interfere with daily functioning.
2. Rationale for Choice A:
Acknowledges the client's needs: Planning for rituals demonstrates understanding and acceptance of the client's experience, fostering trust and rapport.
Reduces anxiety: Allowing time for rituals can temporarily reduce anxiety, making the client more receptive to other interventions.
Gradual approach: It's a stepping stone towards Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold-standard treatment for OCD.
Enhances control: Scheduling rituals can help the client feel more in control, reducing the urge to engage in them compulsively.
3. Addressing potential concerns:
Reinforcing rituals: While there's a possibility of temporarily reinforcing rituals, it's a necessary first step to build trust and engagement in therapy.
Interfering with treatment: Scheduling rituals is a part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes ERP and other therapies to address the underlying causes of OCD.
4. Importance of individualized care:
The specific approach to planning for rituals should be tailored to the client's unique needs, preferences, and severity of symptoms.
Collaboration with the client is essential to ensure their active participation in treatment. I'll now address the rationales for the incorrect choices:
Choice B rationale:
Setting strict limits on behaviors can be counterproductive: Triggers anxiety and distress
Impedes trust and therapeutic alliance Diminishes sense of control
Heightens resistance to treatment
Choice C rationale:
Confronting the client about the senselessness of rituals is ineffective and potentially harmful: Exacerbates anxiety and shame
Alienates the client
Disregards the involuntary nature of OCD Undermines motivation for treatment Choice D rationale:
Isolating the client is unethical and detrimental:
Increases distress and loneliness Impedes therapeutic interactions Reinforces negative self-perceptions
Lacks evidence of efficacy in OCD treatment
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The adverse effect the nurse should report to the provider is A. Sweating and fever.
This combination of symptoms is a key indicator of Serotonin Syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition that, while rare with buspirone alone, can occur, particularly if the client is taking other medications that increase serotonin (like SSRIs or MAOIs).
The nurse should report these signs immediately because:
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Sweating (Diaphoresis) and High Fever (Hyperthermia) are core components of the triad of symptoms for Serotonin Syndrome (autonomic instability).
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Serotonin Syndrome also involves changes in mental status (e.g., confusion, hallucinations, which is option D) and neuromuscular hyperactivity (e.g., muscle rigidity, tremors).
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This is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention to prevent complications like rhabdomyolysis, metabolic acidosis, and renal failure.
In comparison:
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C. Decreased appetite is a common, generally mild, and manageable side effect.
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D. Hallucinations are a serious central nervous system side effect, but when presented alongside the life-threatening systemic signs of Serotonin Syndrome (A), option A represents the more urgent and dangerous adverse reaction.
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B. Discolored urine is not a standard adverse effect and would need investigation, but is not as acutely critical as signs of Serotonin Syndrome.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer/s is C
Choice A rationale: Hyperkalemia, or high potassium levels in the blood, is not typically associated with anorexia nervosa. In fact, individuals with anorexia nervosa are more likely to experience hypokalemia, or low potassium levels, due to inadequate dietary intake and excessive loss of potassium through vomiting or use of diuretics1.
Choice B rationale: Metrorrhagia, or irregular menstrual bleeding between periods, can occur in females with anorexia nervosa due to hormonal imbalances caused by extreme weight loss and malnutrition. However, amenorrhea, or the absence of menstruation, is more commonly observed1.
Choice C rationale: Lanugo, which is fine, soft hair that grows on the face and body, is a common finding in individuals with anorexia nervosa. It is the body’s response to severe weight loss and starvation as an attempt to provide insulation and maintain body temperature1.
Choice D rationale: Tachycardia, or a rapid heart rate, is not typically associated with anorexia nervosa. Instead, individuals with anorexia nervosa often experience bradycardia, or a slower than normal heart rate, as the body’s response to starvation1.
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