If a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder walks around and asks the nurse to walk with them, what is an appropriate response?

If a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder walks around and asks the nurse to walk with them, what is an appropriate response?

• A. Let them walk alone for a while.
• B. Refuse to walk with them.
• C. I can walk and talk with you for 15 minutes.
• D. Suggest a different activity instead.

Answer: (C)

The response that involves walking and talking with the client for a limited time acknowledges the client's needs while also establishing boundaries that can help manage their anxiety effectively. This approach promotes therapeutic engagement, giving the client an opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings in an environment that feels supportive. By specifying a time limit, the nurse helps the client feel contained and reassured, which can reduce their anxiety and gives them a sense of predictability. Additionally, providing a structured timeframe can be particularly beneficial for clients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, as it allows for engagement in their compulsive behaviors in a controlled manner while also encouraging a gradual shift towards facing their anxieties. This response balances the need for therapeutic support with the necessity of maintaining professional boundaries, creating an atmosphere of safety and care.

The response that involves walking and talking with the client for a limited time acknowledges the client's needs while also establishing boundaries that can help manage their anxiety effectively. This approach promotes therapeutic engagement, giving the client an opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings in an environment that feels supportive. By specifying a time limit, the nurse helps the client feel contained and reassured, which can reduce their anxiety and gives them a sense of predictability.

Additionally, providing a structured timeframe can be particularly beneficial for clients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, as it allows for engagement in their compulsive behaviors in a controlled manner while also encouraging a gradual shift towards facing their anxieties. This response balances the need for therapeutic support with the necessity of maintaining professional boundaries, creating an atmosphere of safety and care.