Question

A client reports recurrent, distressing thoughts of contamination. These thoughts cause anxiety and are prevalent for hours during the day. The nurse should plan interventions that:

A. eliminate projection
B. aim for reduction of compulsive behavior
C. reduce the need for reaction formation
D. reduce anxiety associated with obsessive thoughts

Answer 1

The nurse should plan interventions that aim to reduce anxiety associated with obsessive thoughts in a client experiencing symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Step-by-step explanation:

The client is experiencing symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) characterized by recurrent, distressing thoughts of contamination, causing anxiety and impacting their daily life for several hours a day. The nurse should plan interventions that focus on reducing anxiety associated with these obsessive thoughts (option D). This may involve techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), and the use of medication like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).