The nurse is caring for a client who arrives to the emergency department with reports of experiencing dizziness and difficulty walking to the bathroom.
The nurse observes right-sided weakness and sluggish enunciation of speech. The nurse should immediately take which action?

Choice A is correct because a quiet, non-stimulating environment can help reduce the agitation, confusion, and hallucinations that are common in alcohol withdrawal delirium. The nurse should also provide reassurance, orientation, and safety measures to the client.

Choice B is incorrect because forcing oral fluids and providing frequent small meals are not the most important interventions for a client with alcohol withdrawal delirium. The client may have difficulty swallowing, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that can interfere with oral intake. The nurse should monitor the client's hydration and nutrition status and provide intravenous fluids or supplements as needed.

Choice C is incorrect because confronting the client's denial of substance abuse is not the most important intervention for a client with alcohol withdrawal delirium. The client may not be able to comprehend or accept the reality of their situation due to their altered mental state. The nurse should avoid arguing or challenging the client and focus on providing supportive care.

Choice D is incorrect because encouraging attendance and group participation are not the most important interventions for a client with alcohol withdrawal delirium. The client may not be able to participate in group activities due to their severe withdrawal symptoms and may need individualized care. The nurse should facilitate referrals to appropriate resources for substance abuse treatment when the client is stable and ready.

Choice D is correct because allowing time for the behavior and then redirecting the client to other activities is an effective intervention for a client with OCD who is repeatedly washing the top of the same table. OCD is a disorder characterized by recurrent and intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive and ritualistic behaviors (compulsions) that cause distress and impairment. The nurse should not interfere with or criticize the client's compulsions, as this can increase anxiety and resistance. The nurse should instead set limits on the time and place for the compulsions and gradually reduce them by offering alternative coping strategies or distractions.

Choice A is incorrect because encouraging the client to be calm and relax for a while is not an effective intervention for a client with OCD who is repeatedly washing the top of the same table. The client may not be able to relax or stop their compulsions, as they are driven by irrational fears or beliefs that are difficult to control. The nurse should not minimize or dismiss the client's feelings, as this can make them feel misunderstood or invalidated.

Choice B is incorrect because teaching the client thought-stopping techniques and how to refocus behaviors is not an effective intervention for a client with OCD who is repeatedly washing the top of the same table. Thought-stopping techniques are cognitive strategies that aim to interrupt or replace negative or unwanted thoughts with positive or neutral ones. However, these techniques may not work for clients with OCD, as their obsessions are often persistent and resistant to change. The nurse should not attempt to teach new skills or challenge the client's thoughts during an acute episode of compulsion, as this can increase anxiety and frustration.

Choice C is incorrect because assisting the client to identify stimuli that precipitate the activity is not an effective intervention for a client with OCD who is repeatedly washing the top of the same table. The client may not be able to identify or avoid the triggers that cause their compulsions, as they are often internal or irrational. The nurse should not focus on finding the cause or meaning of the compulsions, as this can reinforce their significance or validity.