The parent of a school-age girl reports that the child has difficulty getting ready for school and is often late because of a need to check and recheck whether her teeth are clean and her room light has been turned off. What will the primary care pediatric nurse practitioner recommend to this parent?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms described suggest the presence of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for this condition in children. It helps the child to identify and challenge irrational thoughts that lead to compulsive behaviors, and also includes exposure therapy to gradually desensitize the child to the anxiety-provoking situations. Deferral of treatment is not recommended as untreated OCD can progress and impair the child's functioning; medication management with an SSRI or referral to a child psychiatrist may be considered in more severe cases or when CBT alone is not effective.

The Parent of a School-Age Girl Reports That the Child