Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, Impulse Control Disorders no. 5022

Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, Impulse Control Disorders no. 5022

QUESTION: A client admitted to the psychiatric unit for treatment of substance abuse says to the nurse, "It felt so wonderful to get high." Which of the following is the most appropriate response?

✘O a.) "If you continue to talk like that, I'm going to stop speaking to you."
✓O b.) "You told me you got fired from your last job for missing too many days after taking drugs all night."
✘O c.) "Tell me more about how it felt to get high."
✘O d.) "Don't you know it's illegal to use drugs?"

RATIONALE

RATIONALE: Confronting the client with the consequences of substance abuse helps to break through denial. Making threats (option 1) isn't an effective way to promote self-disclosure or establish a rapport with the client. Although the nurse should encourage the client to discuss feelings, the discussion should focus on how the client felt before, not during, an episode of substance abuse (option 3). Encouraging elaboration about his experience while getting high may reinforce the abusive behavior. The client undoubtedly is aware that drug use is illegal; a reminder to this effect (option 4) is unlikely to alter behavior.
NURSING PROCESS STEP: Implementation
CLIENT NEEDS CATEGORY: Psychosocial integrity
CLIENT NEEDS SUBCATEGORY: None
COGNITIVE LEVEL: Comprehension