Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, Impulse Control Disorders no. 5077

Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, Impulse Control Disorders no. 5077

QUESTION: The client tells the nurse he was involved in a car accident while he was intoxicated. What would be the most therapeutic response from the nurse?

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O a.) "Why didn't you get someone else to drive you?"

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O b.) "Tell me how you feel about the accident."

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O c.) "You should know better than to drink and drive."

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O d.) "I recommend that you attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting."

RATIONALE

RATIONALE: An open-ended statement or question is the most therapeutic response. It encourages the widest range of client responses, makes the client an active participant in the conversation, and shows the client that the nurse is interested in his feelings. Asking the client why he drove while intoxicated can make him feel defensive and intimidated. A judgmental approach isn't therapeutic. By giving advice, the nurse suggests that the client isn't capable of making decisions, thus fostering dependency.
NURSING PROCESS STEP: Implementation
CLIENT NEEDS CATEGORY: Psychosocial integrity
CLIENT NEEDS SUBCATEGORY: None
COGNITIVE LEVEL: Analysis