HESI Mental Health 2023 Related

Review HESI Mental Health 2023 related questions and content

A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) spends several hours a day arranging and rearranging items in their room. What is the most therapeutic nursing intervention?

  • A. Distract the client with another activity.
  • B. Allow the client to continue the behavior.
  • C. Set a time limit for the behavior.
  • D. Encourage the client to verbalize their feelings.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Encouraging the client to verbalize their feelings is the most therapeutic intervention for a client with OCD spending excessive time on compulsive behaviors. By expressing their feelings, the client can explore the underlying anxiety that drives the compulsion. This intervention also provides an opportunity for the nurse to offer support and help the client develop coping strategies.\n
Choice A, distracting the client with another activity, may provide temporary relief but does not address the root cause of the behavior.\n
Choice B, allowing the client to continue the behavior, does not promote therapeutic progress and may perpetuate the compulsion.\n
Choice C, setting a time limit for the behavior, may create additional stress for the client and does not address the underlying emotional issues associated with OCD.