A charge nurse is discussing the care of a client who has a substance use disorder with a staff nurse. Which of the following statements by the staff nurse should the charge nurse identify as countertransference?
A.
“The client is just like my brother who finally overcame his habit.”
B.
“The client asked me to go on a date with him, but I refused.”
C.
“The client generally shares his feelings during group therapy sessions.”
D.
“The client needs to accept responsibility for his substance use.”
The Correct answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is:
A. “The client is just like my brother who finally overcame his habit.”
Explanation:
Countertransference occurs when a healthcare provider projects their own personal feelings, experiences, or relationships onto a client. It can interfere with the professional relationship and potentially impact the effectiveness of care.
In this scenario, the staff nurse’s statement, “The client is just like my brother who finally overcame his habit,” is an example of countertransference. The nurse is drawing a parallel between the client and their personal experience with their brother. This personal connection can lead to biased judgments and influence the nurse’s behavior and interactions with the client. The nurse might unconsciously project their feelings about their brother onto the client, which could affect their objectivity and professional approach.
Countertransference can manifest in various ways, including:
- Emotional Reactions: The nurse might have strong emotional reactions to the client based on their own past experiences. For example, the nurse may feel overly sympathetic or judgmental toward the client because of similarities with their brother’s experiences.
- Behavioral Impact: The nurse might alter their behavior towards the client based on their personal feelings. For instance, they may either provide more leniency or impose stricter expectations because of their emotional connection.
- Decision-Making: Personal biases can influence clinical decisions, potentially compromising the quality of care. For instance, the nurse might struggle to set appropriate boundaries or may become less effective in their therapeutic role.
In contrast:
- B. The staff nurse’s statement about refusing a date is related to maintaining professional boundaries, not countertransference.
- C. Sharing feelings during group therapy is a part of therapeutic communication and does not indicate countertransference.
- D. Encouraging clients to accept responsibility for their substance use is part of effective therapy and is not countertransference.
Identifying and managing countertransference is crucial for maintaining a therapeutic relationship and providing objective, effective care.