The PMHNP is evaluating a 28-year-old female client who regularly uses cocaine on the weekends and has been reluctant to discuss quitting. Which of the following statements by the PMHNP would follow the motivational interviewing principle of focusing?
I can tell it was hard for you to open up and talk about this today. I appreciate your honesty.
So by getting high, you feel good and can avoid painful feelings. What are some of the downsides to using cocaine?
Tell me about your cocaine use.
If I heard you correctly, you feel you don't have a problem right now. You can stop anytime you want.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: This statement reflects the motivational interviewing principle of expressing empathy. It validates the client’s emotional experience and builds rapport but does not focus the conversation on change or the specific issue of cocaine use.
Choice B reason: This statement exemplifies the principle of focusing. It acknowledges the client’s perceived benefits of cocaine use while gently steering the conversation toward exploring the negative consequences. This helps the client begin to consider change by weighing pros and cons.
Choice C reason: This is an open-ended question that aligns with the principle of engaging, not focusing. It invites the client to share but does not direct attention to the specific issue or encourage reflection on change.
Choice D reason: This statement may come across as confrontational or dismissive. It risks eliciting defensiveness and does not align with motivational interviewing principles, which emphasize collaboration and evoking the client’s own motivations for change.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: This describes internal validity, which assesses whether the observed effect is due to the intervention and not confounding variables. It does not address generalizability.
Choice B reason: External validity refers to the extent to which study findings can be generalized beyond the specific sample used. If the sample accurately reflects the broader population, the results are more likely to apply in real-world settings, enhancing external validity.
Choice C reason: A p-value of 0.1 suggests that the results are not statistically significant at the conventional threshold of 0.05. It does not relate to external validity, which is about generalizability, not statistical significance.
Choice D reason: Peer-reviewed publication indicates that the research has undergone expert scrutiny, but it does not guarantee external validity. Generalizability depends on study design and sample characteristics, not publication status.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Affirmation is a core principle of motivational interviewing. This statement validates the client’s courage and honesty, reinforcing her autonomy and self-awareness. It builds rapport and encourages continued openness, which is essential for collaborative treatment planning.
Choice B reason: This statement is judgmental and undermines the therapeutic alliance. It reflects blame and hindsight bias, which can increase shame and resistance in the client.
Choice C reason: While medical detox may be clinically appropriate, this directive lacks empathy and does not align with motivational interviewing principles. It bypasses the client’s readiness for change and may provoke defensiveness.
Choice D reason: Taking partial blame may seem empathetic, but it shifts focus away from the client’s agency and responsibility. It also risks undermining the PMHNP’s professional boundaries and therapeutic neutrality.
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