The nurse in a medical unit is caring for a client with heart failure. The client suddenly develops extreme dyspnea, tachycardia, and lung crackles, and the nurse suspects pulmonary edema. The nurse immediately asks another nurse to contact the healthcare provider and prepares to implement which priority interventions? (Select all that apply.)

Choice A reason : Encouraging avoidance of anxiety-increasing situations may seem beneficial, but it can reinforce OCD behaviors. Avoidance prevents the client from learning how to cope with anxiety and can limit their ability to participate in daily activities⁴.

Choice B reason : Investigating what situations precipitate anxiety is a crucial step in managing OCD. Understanding the specific triggers can help in developing strategies to cope with and eventually reduce the anxiety associated with these situations. This approach is aligned with cognitive-behavioral therapy principles, which are effective in treating OCD⁴⁵.

Choice C reason : Teaching the client that compulsive behavior is excessive is part of psychoeducation. However, simply telling a client that their behavior is excessive without providing coping mechanisms can be unhelpful and may increase their anxiety. It's important to combine this with therapeutic techniques that help the client manage their compulsions⁴.

Choice D reason : Preventing the client from performing compulsive behavior abruptly can cause significant distress and may not be feasible or safe. Instead, treatment usually involves gradual exposure to anxiety-provoking situations and learning to resist the urge to perform compulsions, a technique known as exposure and response prevention (ERP)⁴.

Choice A reason : While propranolol can be used to reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches, it is not contraindicated in patients with a history of migraines⁴.

Choice B reason : Propranolol is often prescribed for hypertension and is not contraindicated in such cases. It works by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors, which reduces heart rate and blood pressure⁴.

Choice C reason : Propranolol is contraindicated in patients with bronchial asthma. As a non-selective beta-blocker, it can cause bronchoconstriction and exacerbate asthma symptoms. Therefore, the nurse should report this finding to the provider⁴⁶.

Choice D reason : Hypothyroidism is not a contraindication for propranolol. However, the medication may mask signs of hypothyroidism, such as a slow heart rate, so the provider should be aware of the client's thyroid condition⁴.