A nurse at an urgent care center is caring for a client who sustained minor injuries during a street fight in which two of the client's friends were stabbing victims. The client tells the nurse that he doesn't remember anything that happened after he and his friends first saw the suspects in the stabbing. Which of the following defense mechanisms is the client demonstrating?

Answer: (D) Suppression

Rationale:

A) Dissociation: Dissociation involves a disconnection from reality or the separation of thoughts, memories, or identity from conscious awareness. In this scenario, the client is not displaying any signs of disconnecting from reality or avoiding awareness of the situation through dissociation, making this defense mechanism unlikely.

B) Projection: Projection occurs when an individual attributes their own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to others. The client in this situation is not blaming others or attributing their actions to someone else, so projection is not the defense mechanism being demonstrated here.

C) Intellectualization: Intellectualization involves using reasoning or logic to avoid emotional stress or anxiety. While the client does mention logical-sounding plans about things working out next week, their overall response does not primarily reflect an avoidance of emotion through reasoning, so intellectualization is not the correct choice.

D) Suppression: Suppression is the conscious decision to delay paying attention to an emotion or need in order to cope with the present situation. The client acknowledges the stress of being fired but chooses to push aside their distress by stating that "everything will work out somehow next week," indicating they are consciously choosing to set aside their anxiety for the time being. This aligns with the concept of suppression.

This statement implies that the nurse is taking sides and suggesting a specific course of action to the client. It is important for the nurse to remain neutral and non-directive during family therapy sessions. The nurse's role is to facilitate open communication, active listening, and understanding between the family members, rather than imposing their own opinions or suggesting specific solutions.

To ensure a therapeutic and unbiased approach, the nurse should intervene and provide feedback to the newly licensed nurse, reminding them to maintain a neutral stance and encourage the client to explore their own perspectives and feelings about the relationship.

Incorrect:

A. "We should invite your partner to be a part of our discussion." This statement suggests involving the partner, which is a common practice in family therapy. It recognizes the importance of including all relevant family members in the therapeutic process.

B. "Tell me about the concerns that you have regarding your relationship." This statement encourages the client to express their concerns and provides an opportunity for them to share their thoughts and feelings about the relationship. It promotes open communication and active listening.

D. "Relationship difficulties are stressful and require effort to resolve." This statement acknowledges the challenges in relationships and emphasizes the need for active participation and effort to address and resolve issues. It sets a realistic expectation for the client and supports their engagement in the therapeutic process.