(Select all that apply) A nurse is collaborating with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care for a patient with OCD. Which actions should the nurse take as part of this collaboration?

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.

Choice A rationale:

While genetic factors can contribute to the development of OCD, stating that it is solely caused by genetic factors oversimplifies the etiology. OCD is a complex disorder with multiple factors, including genetic, neurobiological, cognitive, and environmental influences.

Choice B rationale:

This statement is incorrect. Exposure therapy is a highly effective treatment for OCD. It involves controlled and systematic exposure to feared stimuli, which helps individuals reduce their anxiety responses over time.

Choice C rationale:

This choice is correct because selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are indeed commonly used as a first-line pharmacological treatment for OCD. These medications help regulate serotonin levels in the brain, which can reduce the frequency and intensity of obsessions and compulsions.

Choice D rationale:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is actually recommended as one of the most effective treatments for OCD. CBT, including exposure and response prevention, helps individuals learn to manage their symptoms by changing maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors associated with OCD. Therefore, stating that CBT is not recommended is inaccurate.