A patient performs ritualistic hand washing. What should the ...

[viki]

A patient performs ritualistic hand washing. What should the nurse do to help the patient develop more effective coping strategies?
 
  a. Allow the patient to set a hand-washing schedule.
  b. Encourage the patient to participate in social activities.
  c. Encourage the patient to discuss hand-washing routines.
  d. Focus on the patient's symptoms rather than on the patient.

Question 2

Which comment by a person who is experiencing severe anxiety indicates the possibility of obsessive-compulsive disorder?
 
  a. I check where my car keys are eight times.
  b. My legs often feel weak and spastic.
  c. I'm embarrassed to go out in public.
  d. I keep reliving the car accident.

[Bigfoot1984]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Because patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder become overly involved in rituals, promoting involvement with other people and activities is necessary to improve the patient's coping strategies. Daily activities prevent the constant focus on anxiety and its symptoms. The other interventions focus on the compulsive symptom.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Recurring doubt (obsessive thinking) and the need to check (compulsive behavior) suggest obsessive-compulsive disorder. The repetitive behavior is designed to decrease anxiety but fails and must be repeated. The statement, My legs feel weak most of the time, is more in keeping with a somatoform disorder. Being embarrassed to go out in public is associated with an avoidant personality disorder. Reliving a traumatic event is associated with posttraumatic stress disorder.

[viki]

Excellent

[nothere]

TYSM