A nurse in a community health facility is interviewing a client who recently lost his job. The client states. "I was fired because my boss doesn't like me." Which of the following defense mechanisms is the client displaying?
Displacement
Rationalization
Dissociation
Repression
The Correct Answer is B
A. Displacement:
Displacement is a defense mechanism where a person redirects their feelings, often negative or hostile ones, from the original source or target to a different, less threatening target. For example, if the client were to express anger at their boss by yelling at their family members instead, it would be an example of displacement.
B. Rationalization:
Rationalization is a defense mechanism in which a person provides logical or reasonable explanations to justify or explain a situation or behavior, even if these explanations are not entirely true or valid. It involves creating justifications or excuses to make an event or one's actions appear more reasonable or acceptable. In this case, the client is rationalizing the job loss by attributing it to their boss not liking them, which may be an oversimplified or inaccurate explanation.
C. Dissociation:
Dissociation is a defense mechanism where a person mentally separates themselves from their own thoughts, feelings, or experiences to cope with overwhelming or traumatic situations. It involves a disconnection from reality. The client's statement doesn't suggest dissociation; rather, they are providing a reason for their job loss.
D. Repression:
Repression is a defense mechanism that involves the unconscious exclusion of painful or anxiety-provoking thoughts, feelings, or memories from awareness. It is not readily visible or expressed in behavior. The client's statement involves a conscious attempt to explain their job loss, so it's not an example of repression.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. The nurse maintains confidentiality unless the client's safety is compromised:
Explanation: Maintaining confidentiality is a fundamental principle in nursing practice. Nurses are ethically and legally obligated to keep client information confidential, ensuring that the client's privacy is respected. Confidentiality builds trust between the nurse and the client, encouraging open communication. However, confidentiality can be breached if the client's safety is at risk, such as if they express suicidal or homicidal thoughts, indicating the need for intervention to ensure their well-being.
B. The nurse seeks to spend extra time specifically with the client each day:
Explanation: While it's important for nurses to spend adequate time with each client, seeking to spend extra time specifically with one client may create imbalances in care distribution. Nurses should strive to provide equitable care to all clients, addressing their needs based on assessments and care plans. Special attention to one client could lead to feelings of favoritism or neglect among other clients, affecting the therapeutic environment.
C. The client sees the nurse as an authority figure:
Explanation: Clients often view nurses as authority figures due to their expertise and role in healthcare. This perception can facilitate a therapeutic relationship, as clients may trust the nurse's guidance and care. However, this should be balanced with empathy and understanding to create a supportive and therapeutic environment.
D. The client regards the nurse as a friend:
Explanation: While a therapeutic nurse-client relationship aims for trust and rapport, it is not a friendship. The nurse maintains professional boundaries to provide objective care without personal bias. Friendship implies a level of personal involvement that can compromise the nurse's ability to make objective clinical decisions. A therapeutic relationship is built on trust, respect, empathy, and clear professional boundaries.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Instruct the client to consume a low-sodium diet to decrease hand tremors:
While maintaining a stable sodium intake is important for individuals taking lithium to avoid fluctuations in lithium levels, a low-sodium diet is not specifically indicated to address hand tremors caused by lithium. Adjusting sodium levels is more about maintaining a consistent intake to stabilize lithium levels over time.
B. Teach the client to take the lithium in a single daily dose:
Lithium is often prescribed in divided doses to maintain stable blood levels throughout the day and minimize side effects. However, the dosing regimen (once or multiple times a day) is usually determined by the healthcare provider based on the individual's needs. Changing the dosing frequency is not the primary intervention for managing hand tremors.
C. Contact the provider for a possible decrease in the lithium dosage:
Hand tremors are a common side effect of lithium. If a client is experiencing bothersome side effects within the therapeutic range, the appropriate action is to contact the healthcare provider. The provider can assess the situation, possibly adjust the dosage, or explore other management options to alleviate the tremors while maintaining the therapeutic effect of the medication.
D. Encourage the client to take naproxen sodium to decrease tremors:
Encouraging the client to take naproxen sodium or any other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) is not recommended when the client is on lithium therapy. NSAIDs can interact with lithium, potentially leading to increased lithium levels and toxicity. Combining these medications should be avoided.
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