One afternoon 3 weeks into his alcohol treatment program, a client says to the nurse, 'It's really not all my fault that I have a drinking problem. Alcoholism runs in my family. Both my grandfather and father were heavy drinkers.' The nurse's best response would be:

Focusing is an effective therapeutic strategy. This response, however, allows the client to 'defocus' off the topic of learning how to accept responsibility for his behavior and future growth. The nurse can educate the client about both the 'genetic risk' for the development of alcoholism and ways to make long-term healthy lifestyle changes. This response is inappropriately confrontational and condescending to the client. Reflection of content can be an effective verbal therapeutic technique. It is used inappropriately here.