A patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is prescribed fluvoxamine. What is a common side effect of this medication?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Nausea. Fluvoxamine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) commonly used to treat OCD. Nausea is a common side effect of SSRI medications due to their impact on serotonin levels in the gastrointestinal tract. This can lead to stomach upset and feelings of nausea. Increased appetite (A) and weight gain (C) are more commonly associated with other types of medications, such as antipsychotics or mood stabilizers. Dry mouth (B) is a side effect seen with some antidepressants, but it is not a common side effect of fluvoxamine.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Apathy. Negative symptoms in schizophrenia refer to the absence or reduction of normal behaviors or functions. Apathy is a common negative symptom characterized by a lack of interest, motivation, or emotion. Hallucinations (A) and delusions (B) are positive symptoms, involving distortions of perception or belief. Disorganized speech (D) is a symptom of disorganized thinking, which is also a positive symptom in schizophrenia. Thus, apathy best aligns with the concept of negative symptoms in schizophrenia.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Decreased need for sleep. During a manic episode in bipolar disorder, individuals often experience decreased need for sleep. This is a key symptom of mania, as it is characterized by high energy levels, impulsivity, and decreased need for rest. In contrast, option B (feelings of worthlessness) is more reflective of symptoms seen in depressive episodes, not manic episodes. Option C (increased need for sleep) is also not indicative of mania, as mania is associated with decreased sleep. Option D (avoidance of social interactions) may occur in some cases, but it is not a defining feature of mania.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Nausea. Sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), commonly causes gastrointestinal side effects like nausea. This occurs due to increased serotonin levels affecting the digestive system. Dry mouth (A) is more common with other medications like anticholinergics. Weight gain (B) is a potential side effect of some antidepressants but not typically with sertraline. Insomnia (C) can occur with SSRIs, but it is less common than nausea as an initial side effect. Monitoring for nausea is essential to ensure the patient's adherence to treatment and well-being.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Thought stopping. In CBT, thought stopping is a technique used to interrupt and replace negative or intrusive thoughts. Here's why it's correct: 1. It helps clients identify and challenge negative thought patterns. 2. It teaches clients to stop negative thoughts in their tracks. 3. It encourages the use of positive affirmations or coping statements. Other choices are incorrect: A: Free association is a psychoanalytic technique, not a CBT technique. C: Dream analysis is also associated with psychoanalytic therapy. D: Systematic desensitization is a behavioral therapy technique used in exposure therapy, not CBT.