Question

A nurse in a county health department is caring for a client who states, "I've been drinking too much in the evenings since my friend died last year." Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

Option 1:
Advise the client to find healthier coping mechanisms and engage in activities that promote well-being.

Option 2:
Refer the client to a support group for individuals dealing with grief and loss.

Option 3:
Assess the client's alcohol use and explore treatment options for alcohol dependence.

Option 4:
Encourage the client to talk more about their deceased friend and express their emotions.

Answer 1

A nurse should take a multi-faceted approach, which includes assessing alcohol use, suggesting healthier coping mechanisms, referring the client to a support group, and encouraging the client to express their emotions. This comprehensive response acknowledges the complexity of grief and supports a client's journey towards recovery.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse in this scenario should consider a compassionate and multi-faceted approach. A suitable response would involve combining the recommended actions to address the complex needs of the client. Firstly, the nurse should assess the client's alcohol use, as this would provide a baseline to explore potential underlying alcohol dependency issues. Secondly, the nurse could indeed advise on healthier coping mechanisms and direct the client towards activities that could promote well-being, moving away from harmful behaviors. Referring the client to a support group might help to address social and emotional needs related to grief and loss. Lastly, encouraging the client to express and talk about their emotions concerning their deceased friend can be therapeutic and can help in processing grief.

In practice, the nurse should consider all options, as they could collectively support the client's journey towards healthy coping and recovery. It is essential to understand that grief and the way individuals handle it can be complex. The five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—can manifest in different orders, and the client's experience should be acknowledged and supported throughout the healing process.