During an admission history, a patient reports a frequent need to return to a room multiple times to make sure an iron or other appliance is unplugged. What does the nurse understand about this patient's behavior?

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Patients with OCD have compulsive behaviors, such as repeatedly checking to make sure appliances have been unplugged. The compulsion is a ritualized behavior resulting from obsessive anxiety or fear that something bad will happen, such as starting a fire with an overheated appliance. Alprazolam is not a first-line drug for treating OCD. Patients usually understand that compulsive behaviors are excessive and senseless but are unable to stop. Deep brain stimulation is indicated for patients in whom other treatments have failed; its effectiveness at reducing symptoms has been shown to be about 40%.

During an Admission History, a Patient Reports a Frequent Need