Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 73%
Simulated
A nurse is providing behavioral therapy for a client who has obsessive-compulsive disorder. The client repeatedly checks that the doors are locked at night. Which of the following instructions should the nurse give the client when using thought stopping technique?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
The correct answer is D: Snap a rubber band on your wrist when you think about checking the locks. This technique is known as aversion therapy, where a negative stimulus (the snap of the rubber band) is paired with the unwanted behavior (checking locks excessively) to reduce the behavior over time. By associating discomfort with the thought of checking the locks, the client can learn to stop the behavior.
Choice A: Asking a family member to check the locks enables avoidance rather than addressing the behavior directly.
Choice B: Focusing on abdominal breathing is a relaxation technique, which may not directly address the behavior of checking locks excessively.
Choice C: Keeping a journal of behavior is a monitoring technique but does not actively interrupt or modify the behavior of checking locks.
In summary, choice D is the most appropriate as it directly targets the unwanted behavior and aims to decrease its frequency by introducing a negative consequence.
Choice A: Asking a family member to check the locks enables avoidance rather than addressing the behavior directly.
Choice B: Focusing on abdominal breathing is a relaxation technique, which may not directly address the behavior of checking locks excessively.
Choice C: Keeping a journal of behavior is a monitoring technique but does not actively interrupt or modify the behavior of checking locks.
In summary, choice D is the most appropriate as it directly targets the unwanted behavior and aims to decrease its frequency by introducing a negative consequence.