Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a client who has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Which of the following characteristics are expected findings of OCD? (Select all that apply.)
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Rule-conscious behavior.
Rationale:
Rule-conscious behavior
🔹 Clients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) often adhere strictly to rules and routines as a way to reduce anxiety.
🔹 This behavior is driven by obsessive fears that something bad will happen if rules are not followed exactly.
🔹 The client may feel compelled to act in a specific order or repeat behaviors a certain number of times to feel safe.
🔹 These behaviors are not simply habits; they are ritualistic responses to intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions).
Difficulty relaxing
🔹 Due to constant internal anxiety and the need to perform compulsions to relieve that anxiety, clients with OCD often struggle to relax.
🔹 They may experience a sense of dread or restlessness if prevented from completing rituals.
🔹 Their thoughts are typically intrusive and persistent, making rest and relaxation difficult.
🔹 This ongoing mental tension results in chronic psychological distress.
Perfectionist behavior
🔹 Clients with OCD tend to exhibit perfectionism, which is the desire for exactness and flawlessness in performance or behavior.
🔹 This stems from the fear that making a mistake or doing something imperfectly will result in harm or negative consequences.
🔹 They often spend excessive time checking, organizing, or redoing tasks to meet unrealistic standards.
🔹 This perfectionism contributes to functional impairment in daily life and work or school performance.
Want to practice more questions like this?
This question is from RN ATI Mental Health NPRO200 Exam which contains 41 questions.
More Questions from This Exam
The client presents to the emergency department with a headache in the back of the head, diaphoresis, and neck stiffness. The clients blood pressure measures 180/124 mm Hg and heart rate is 168 beats/min. The spouse says the client is currently prescribed "something for depression" and denies any history of cardiac disease. The nurse should suspect the use of what medication?
Answer Choices:
A nurse in an acute care mental health facility is caring for a client who has depression. After 3 days of treatment, the nurse notices that the client suddenly seems cheerful and relaxed and there are no longer signs of a depressive state. Which of the following interventions is appropriate to include in the plan of care?
Answer Choices:
A nurse is admitting a client who has experienced a weight loss of 11 kg (25 lb) in the past 3 months. The client weighs 40 kg (88 lb) and believes she is fat. Which of the following aspects of care should the nurse consider the first priority for this client?
Answer Choices:
A nurse is providing care to children on a general pediatric unit. Which of the following children should the nurse identify as a potential victim of abuse?
Answer Choices:
Which behavior would first alert the school nurse or teacher to suspect sexual abuse in a 7-year- old child?
Answer Choices:
Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI Mental Health
- Answer Choices: 5