A patient is seeking treatment for her fear of cats; even a picture or a thought of a cat causes her to sweat, tremble, become very apprehensive and uncomfortable, and become sick to her stomach

Question

The nurse has established the nursing diagnosis as Anxiety related to exposure to phobic object (cats). A realistic indicator for the outcome Anxiety self-control would be that within 10 days, the patient will: a. avoid the feared object whenever possible.
b. face the feared object without supportive assistance.
c. state that the fear of cats is unrealistic and inappropriate.
d. report a decrease in distress when thinking about cats.

Answer 1

D
When the patient is able to relax in the presence of thoughts, pictures, or the phobic object, the patient will begin to experience a sense of control over the phobia. Given the prevalence of cats in our society, avoidance is not a realistic expectation, and attempting to avoid cats altogether would significantly restrict the patient in everyday life. Facing the feared object without supportive assistance is a desirable outcome but is not a realistic expectation within the first 10 days of treatment. The patient is already aware that her fear of cats is irrational and inappropriate; that awareness has led the patient to seek treatment. Intellectual understanding does not automatically convey the ability to change behavior or eliminate anxiety.