An advanced practice nurse observes a novice nurse expressing irritability regarding a patient with a long history of alcoholism and suspects the new nurse is experiencing countertransference. Which comment by the new nurse confirms this suspicion?

Question

a. "This patient continues to deny problems resulting from drinking."
b. "My parents were alcoholics and often neglected our family."
c. "The patient cannot identify any goals for improvement."
d. "The patient said I have many traits like her mother."

Answer 1

ANS: B
Countertransference occurs when the nurse unconsciously and inappropriately displaces onto the patient feelings and behaviors related to significant figures in the nurse's past. In this instance, the new nurse's irritability stems from relationships with parents. The distracters indicate transference or accurate analysis of the patient's behavior.