A nurse whose father was an alcoholic is assigned to care for a client

QUESTION

A nurse whose father was an alcoholic is assigned to care for a client who is in alcohol withdrawal. The nurse’s best therapeutic action would be to

a. request another assignment.
b. deliver care in short intervals to avoid projecting negativity.
c. examine personal vulnerabilities, strengths, and limitations.
d. monitor the client’s physical status closely.

ANSWER:

ANS: C
Authenticity is a precondition for the therapeutic use of self in the nurse-client relationship. Authenticity requires recognizing personal vulnerabilities, strengths, and limitations; working within this knowledge in the service of the client; and seeking help when needed to further relationship goals. Self-awareness allows the nurse to fully engage with a client, knowing that parts of the relationship may be painful, distasteful, or uncomfortable. Eventually the nurse will have to deal with the issue. Shortening care time would not be therapeutic. The nurse needs to be emotionally available to the client to be therapeutic.