A nurse is planning care for a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Which of the following interventions should the nurse include?

Choice A reason: Suppressing intrusive thoughts is counterproductive in OCD, as it increases anxiety and reinforces compulsions. OCD involves serotonin dysregulation, and cognitive-behavioral strategies like exposure therapy are effective, not thought suppression, which exacerbates the cycle of obsessions and rituals. Choice B reason: Relaxation techniques, like deep breathing, reduce anxiety in OCD, which drives compulsive behaviors. By modulating the autonomic nervous system, these techniques decrease arousal, complementing cognitive-behavioral therapy to manage serotonin-related obsessive thoughts, making this a key non-pharmacological intervention. Choice C reason: PRN benzodiazepines are not first-line for OCD rituals, as they risk dependence and do not address underlying serotonin deficits. SSRIs or exposure therapy are preferred, as benzodiazepines only temporarily reduce anxiety without targeting the neurobiological basis of OCD. Choice D reason: Daily group therapy for exposure therapy is not ideal, as exposure and response prevention (ERP) is typically individualized. Group settings may not provide tailored exposure, and OCD’s serotonin-driven compulsions require personalized ERP to effectively reduce ritualistic behaviors.