One afternoon 3 weeks into his alcohol treatment program, a client says to the nurse, "It's really not all my fault that I have a drinking problem. Alcoholism runs in my family. Both my grandfather…

The correct answer is B. "Risk factors can often be controlled by self-responsibility.". (A) Focusing is an effective therapeutic strategy. This response, however, allows the client to "defocus" off the topic of learning how to accept responsibility for his behavior and future growth. (B) The nurse can educate the client about both the "genetic risk" for the…

Psychosocial Integrity

Question

One afternoon 3 weeks into his alcohol treatment program, a client says to the nurse, "It's really not all my fault that I have a drinking problem. Alcoholism runs in my family. Both my grandfather and father were heavy drinkers." The nurse's best response would be:

Options

A"That might be a problem. Tell me more about them."
B"Risk factors can often be controlled by self-responsibility."
C"It sounds like you're intellectualizing your drinking problem."
D"Your grandfather and father were both alcoholics?"

How the community answered

(30 responses)

A
3% (1)
B
83% (25)
C
10% (3)
D
3% (1)

Explanation

(A) Focusing is an effective therapeutic strategy. This response, however, allows the client to "defocus" off the topic of learning how to accept responsibility for his behavior and future growth. (B) The nurse can educate the client about both the "genetic risk" for the development of alcoholism and ways to make long-term healthy lifestyle changes. (C) This response is inappropriately confrontational and condescending to the client. (D) Reflection of content can be an effective verbal therapeutic technique. It is used inappropriately here.

Topics

#therapeutic communication#substance use disorder#self-responsibility#denial

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