Which of the following statements accurately describes the diagnostic criteria for phobias?

Choice A rationale:

Establishing a therapeutic relationship with the client based on trust, empathy, respect, and acceptance (Choice A) is a crucial nursing intervention for phobias. This helps create a foundation of trust and safety, allowing the client to feel understood and supported in addressing their phobic responses.

Choice B rationale:

Providing a safe and supportive environment for the client (Choice B) is another essential intervention. This environment enables the client to feel secure and encourages them to explore their fears gradually, knowing they are in a protected setting.

Choice C rationale:

Encouraging the client to avoid situations that trigger phobic responses (Choice C) is not a recommended intervention. Avoidance can reinforce the phobia and hinder progress in overcoming it. Encouraging gradual exposure to feared situations is a more effective strategy.

Choice D rationale:

Assisting the client to identify and challenge irrational thoughts and beliefs (Choice D) is an evidence-based intervention. This approach, known as cognitive-behavioral therapy, helps clients recognize and modify distorted thought patterns that contribute to their phobias.

Choice E rationale:

Implementing exposure therapy with the client (Choice E) is a valid intervention for phobias. Exposure therapy involves gradually exposing the client to the feared object or situation in a controlled manner, helping them desensitize and reduce their fear response.

Choice A rationale:

Specific Phobia. This is the correct answer. The client's symptoms of marked fear and anxiety about a specific object or situation that is out of proportion to the actual danger, along with resulting distress and impairment, are characteristic of a specific phobia. Specific phobias involve intense fear and avoidance behavior triggered by specific objects or situations, like heights, animals, or certain environments.

Choice B rationale:

Social Phobia. The client's symptoms do not align with social phobia, which centers around fears of social judgment and performance situations, not specific objects or situations.

Choice C rationale:

Agoraphobia. Agoraphobia involves fear of situations where escape may be difficult or embarrassing, such as crowded places. The client's fear does not seem related to this type of avoidance.

Choice D rationale:

Panic Disorder. While panic disorder involves recurrent panic attacks, it does not necessarily involve avoidance of specific objects or situations as the primary response. The client's avoidance behavior is more indicative of a specific phobia.