A male client tells the nurse he was involved in a car accident while he was intoxicated.. Tell me how you feel about the accident

A male client tells the nurse he was involved in a car accident while he was intoxicated.

What would be the most therapeutic response from nurse Julia?

• a. "Why didn’t you get someone else to drive you?"
• b. "Tell me how you feel about the accident."
• c. "You should know better than to drink and drive."
• d. "I recommend that you attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting."

Answer B.

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.

The most therapeutic response from nurse Julia would be: b. "Tell me how you feel about the accident."

This response is therapeutic because it is:

• Non-judgmental: The nurse does not blame or criticize the client for drinking and driving.
• Open-ended: The nurse invites the client to share their feelings about the accident, which can help the client to process their emotions and begin to heal.
• Empathetic: The nurse acknowledges that the accident is a difficult experience for the client.

The other responses are not as therapeutic because they:

• a. "Why didn’t you get someone else to drive you?" is judgmental and could make the client feel ashamed or guilty.
• c. "You should know better than to drink and drive." is also judgmental and does not help the client to process their emotions.
• d. "I recommend that you attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting." may not be appropriate for all clients, and it is important to respect the client's right to self-determination.

It is important to note that the nurse should not lecture the client about drinking and driving. Instead, the nurse should focus on supporting the client and helping them to heal from the accident.