Defense Mechanisms

A young adult client with a new diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis states, "The pain in my joints is just a temporary thing. If I keep eating right and exercising, it'll go away." The nurse should identify the client is exhibiting which of the following defense mechanisms? a. Denial b. Displacement c. Rationalization d. Reaction Formation

a. Denial

During a group therapy session, a nurse notes several clients using multiple defense mechanisms. Which of the following client statements demonstrates the maladaptive use of regression? a. I wrote a short story about a heroic woman when I was really mad at my boss b. I don't care about work anymore since I was not given a promotion c. I mentally separate myself from distractions around me when I paint on canvas d. I still cannot remember the scene of my husband's car accident

b. I don't care about work anymore since I was not given a promotion

A nurse at a college campus mental health counseling center is caring for a student who just failed an examination. The student spends the session berating the teacher and the course. The nurse should recognize this behavior as which of the following defense mechanisms? a. Conversion b. Projection c. Undoing d. Regression

b. Projection

For the third time in a row, a nurse has entered a client's room to tell him it is time to go for his physical therapy appointment only to have the client respond that he cannot go due to nausea, a headache, or chest pain. The nurse should identify the client is exhibiting which of the following defense mechanisms a. Suppression b. Somatization c. Projection d. Dissociation

b. Somatization

A nurse is caring for a client who is having an adverse medication reaction. The client states, "The nurse told me not to drink when taking the medication, but she didn't tell me having just one drink could cause a problem." The nurse should identify the client is exhibiting which of the following defense mechanisms. a. Denial b. Displacement c. Rationalization d. Reaction Formation

c. Rationalization

A nurse is caring for a group of clients on a mental health unit. Which of the following should the nurse recognize as a maladaptive defense mechanism? a. A client slams a drawer after misplacing her wallet b. A man buys his partner a gift after flirting with his secretary c. A client forgets to schedule needed appointments when fearing chemotherapy d. A client ignores the thought of pain when scheduled for oral therapy

c. A client forgets to schedule needed appointments when fearing chemotherapy

A nurse is caring for a client who is undergoing treatment for substance use disorder. The client states that he drinks alcohol to relax because he works at least 60 hrs each week in a successful law firm but has not yet received recognition for his work. The nurse identify the client is exhibiting which of the following defense mechanisms? a. Suppression b. Somatization c. Compensation d. Dissociation

c. Compensation

A nurse is admitting a client to an alcohol abuse program. The client states, "I'm here because of my boss. It was part of my job to go to parties and drink with clients." The client's statement is an example of which of the following defense mechanisms? a. Reaction Formation b. Compensation c. Rationalization d. Suppression

c. Rationalization

A nurse is counseling a client for the management of anxiety. The client is consistently late for appointments and ignores household chores. The client states, "I'm just too stressed. I need someone to take care of me." The nurse identifies this behavior as an example of which of the following defense mechanisms? a. Dissociation b. Introjection c. Regression d. Repression

c. Regression

A nurse manager is preparing to confront a staff nurse who is abusing alcohol. Which of the following defense mechanisms should the nurse manager expect the staff nurse to use? a. Projection b. Rationalization c. Repression d. Denial

d. Denial

A nurse is caring for a client who sustained a minor injury during a street fight in which two of the clients' friends were stabbed. The client tells the nurse the he doesn't remember anything that happened after he and his friends first saw the suspects in the stabbing. The nurse should identify the client is exhibiting which of the following defense mechanisms? a. Suppression b. Somatization c. Projection d. Dissociation

d. Dissociation

A nurse is caring for a client who states, "I really can't stand my roommate. Is there anything you can do to get me a bed in another room?" When the roommate comes back into the room, the client offers to share the box of cookies her family brought her with the roommate. The nurse should identify the client is exhibiting which of the following defense mechanisms? a. Denial b. Displacement c. Rationalization d. Reaction Formation

d. Reaction Formation

A nurse is caring for a client who professes a deep and everlasting love for his girlfriend one day, and the next day refuses to speak to her or allow her to visit. The nurse recognizes this client behavior which of the following defense mechanisms? a. Repression b. Splitting c. Sublimation d. Undoing

d. Undoing