Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Examination (RPNCE) Practice test

On which therapy model should the RPN base the treatment for a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder?

1. Dialectical behavioural therapy

2. Solution focused therapy

3. Cognitive behavioural therapy

4. Psychodynamic therapy

The correct answer is: Cognitive behavioural therapy

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is the most effective model for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This therapeutic approach focuses on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns, as well as modifying behaviors that contribute to the distress associated with OCD. In the context of OCD, CBT typically includes exposure and response prevention (ERP), a specific intervention where clients are gradually exposed to the thoughts and situations that provoke their compulsive behaviors, while being supported in refraining from the accompanying compulsive responses. This practice helps clients learn that their anxiety diminishes over time without resorting to compulsions, leading to improved coping mechanisms and reduced symptoms of OCD. Other therapeutic models may not specifically target the core issues of OCD as effectively as CBT does. For instance, dialectical behavioral therapy focuses on emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness, which may not address the compulsive rituals and intrusive thoughts central to OCD. Solution-focused therapy primarily emphasizes finding solutions in the present and future, rather than delving into the cognitive distortions present in OCD. Psychodynamic therapy aims to uncover unconscious conflicts and explore past experiences but may not provide the structured techniques necessary to combat the specific symptoms of OCD. Thus, CBT stands out as the best-supported and most widely utilized approach for treating this disorder.