While working with an older client, a nurse begins to think of the client as a grandparent and responds to the client as a grandchild. The nurse is developing what type of emotional reaction?

Choice A reason:
Dystonia involves muscle contractions causing twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures. It typically occurs early in treatment and affects the neck, face, and back muscles. The involuntary movements described in the scenario are more characteristic of tardive dyskinesia rather than dystonia.

Choice B reason:
Parkinsonism is characterized by symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease, such as tremors, bradykinesia, and rigidity. While it can occur with long-term use of antipsychotics, the specific involuntary movements of the tongue and face described are more indicative of tardive dyskinesia.

Choice C reason:
Akathisia involves a feeling of inner restlessness and an urgent need to move. It does not typically present with the involuntary movements of the tongue and face described in the scenario. Akathisia is more about the inability to stay still rather than specific muscle movements.

Choice D reason:
Tardive dyskinesia is a well-known adverse effect of long-term antipsychotic use, characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements, especially of the face, tongue, and limbs. The description of involuntary movements of the tongue and face fits the profile of tardive dyskinesia, making it the most likely diagnosis.

Choice A reason:
Countertransference occurs when a healthcare provider projects their own feelings and experiences onto the client. In this case, the nurse is responding to the client as if they were their grandparent, which indicates that the nurse’s personal feelings are influencing their professional relationship.
Choice B reason:
Empathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings of another person. While empathy is important in nursing, it does not involve projecting personal relationships onto the client.
Choice C reason:
Transference occurs when a client projects feelings about important figures in their life onto the healthcare provider. This is the opposite of countertransference, where the provider projects their feelings onto the client.
Choice D reason:
Modeling involves demonstrating behaviors for others to imitate. It does not describe the emotional reaction of projecting personal feelings onto a client.