Question

A psychiatric nurse is trying to help a client overcome his fear of public speaking, which is preventing him from advancing in his career. He has conquered some of his other social phobias such as using public restrooms. During an interview with the nurse to evaluate his progress, he makes all of the following statements. Which statement concerns the nurse?

1. One of my subordinates just got a promotion.
2.I try to take deep breaths and remain calm when people talk to me.
3. It helps me to have one or two drinks at lunch.
4. I've met a woman whom I'd like to ask out on a date.

Answer 1

The concerning statement is the client's use of alcohol to cope with the fear of public speaking. This suggests a potential dependency and an unhealthy coping strategy, necessitating the nurse's intervention to recommend healthier approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy and exposure therapy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that would concern the nurse most is "It helps me to have one or two drinks at lunch." This suggests that the client might be using alcohol as a coping mechanism for his anxiety related to public speaking, which can be problematic for several reasons. Firstly, relying on alcohol can lead to dependency and potentially worsen the client's mental health in the long term. Secondly, it is an unhealthy coping strategy that does not address the root cause of the fear and can affect the client's performance at work and personal health. It is important for the nurse to address this issue and help the client find healthier coping strategies.

There are several effective therapeutic approaches for treating social phobias and fear of public speaking, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. CBT can help by changing the negative thought patterns that contribute to the client's fear, and exposure therapy can gradually desensitize the client to the feared situation. The nurse might also recommend relaxation techniques and practicing public speaking in a controlled and supportive environment to build confidence.