Sample interview questions: How do you approach and manage patients who may be experiencing symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder?
Sample answer:
Approaching and Managing Patients with Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Assessment and Diagnosis:
- Conduct a comprehensive psychiatric assessment to rule out other potential diagnoses and determine the specific OCD symptoms and severity.
- Utilize the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) to quantify OCD symptoms.
Psychoeducation:
- Provide the patient with information about OCD, its symptoms, and available treatment options.
- Explain the role of serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SRI) medications and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in OCD management.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
- CBT focuses on identifying and challenging OCD thoughts and rituals.
- Implement exposure and response prevention (ERP) techniques, exposing the patient to anxiety-provoking situations while preventing compulsive behaviors.
- Encourage the patient to engage in cognitive restructuring to modify distorted thoughts.
Pharmacotherapy:
- Prescribe an SRI, such as fluoxetine or sertraline, as the first-line medication for OCD.
- Titrate the medication gradually to achieve optimal therapeutic effects.
- Monitor the … Read full answer
Source: https://hireabo.com/job/7_0_24/Psychiatric%20Nurse%20Practitioner