A nurse is caring for a client who reports that he is angry with his partner because she thinks he is just trying to gain attention. When the nurse attempts to talk to the client, he becomes angry and tells her to leave. Which of the following defense mechanisms is the client demonstrating?

Denial

Compensation

Rationalization

Displacement

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A. Denial:
Denial is a defense mechanism in which a person refuses to accept reality or acknowledge the existence of something that is evident to others. For example, a person diagnosed with a serious illness might deny that they are ill or refuse to believe the diagnosis. In this scenario, the client is not denying a reality; he is expressing anger and directing it toward the nurse.

B. Compensation:
Compensation is a defense mechanism where an individual overachieves in one area to compensate for real or imagined deficiencies in another area. For instance, someone who feels intellectually inferior might excel in sports to compensate for their perceived inadequacy. This is not applicable to the client's situation in the scenario provided.

C. Rationalization:
Rationalization involves providing logical or reasonable explanations to justify behaviors or feelings that might otherwise be unacceptable. For instance, a person might rationalize a failure by blaming external factors rather than accepting personal responsibility. In the scenario, the client is not offering rationalizations but is expressing direct anger.

D. Displacement:
Displacement occurs when emotions, especially anger or frustration, are redirected from the original source to a less threatening target. For example, a person who is angry with their boss might come home and take out their frustration on their family members. In the given situation, the client is displacing his anger from his partner onto the nurse, asking her to leave, making displacement the most appropriate choice.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Reassure staff members that the debriefing is confidential:
Explanation: Ensuring confidentiality is crucial in creating a safe space for individuals to express their emotions and thoughts freely. It builds trust among the participants, making them more likely to open up about their experiences during the debriefing session. Confidentiality encourages honest communication and helps individuals feel secure in sharing their feelings without fear of repercussions.

B. Have staff members discuss their involvement in the event:
Explanation: After establishing confidentiality, the next step is to encourage participants to discuss their involvement in the traumatic event. This can help individuals process their experiences, share their perspectives, and express their emotions related to the incident. Sharing their involvement can provide context to their reactions and emotions, facilitating a more comprehensive understanding of their experiences.

C. Ask staff members to describe their most traumatic memories of the event:
Explanation: Encouraging individuals to describe their most traumatic memories of the event is a way to help them confront and process specific experiences that might be causing distress. This step allows participants to verbalize and share their emotions and memories related to the incident. Talking about these specific memories can be therapeutic and can contribute to the overall healing process.

D. Provide stress-management exercises to the staff members:
Explanation: Providing stress-management exercises, such as relaxation techniques or breathing exercises, comes after individuals have had the opportunity to share their experiences. These exercises can help participants manage immediate stress and anxiety during the debriefing session. They provide practical tools for coping with overwhelming emotions and can be beneficial for individuals who are feeling distressed or overwhelmed during the process.

A. “I will learn how to voluntarily control my blood pressure and heart rate." B. "I will practice replacing negative thoughts with positive self-statements." C. “I will focus on a mental image while concentrating on my breathing." D. "I will progressively relax each of my muscle groups when feeling stressed."

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. "I will learn how to voluntarily control my blood pressure and heart rate."
This statement indicates the client might be referring to techniques such as biofeedback or relaxation exercises that involve controlling physiological responses consciously. While these are relaxation techniques, they are not specifically cognitive reframing. Cognitive reframing focuses on changing negative thought patterns.

B. "I will practice replacing negative thoughts with positive self-statements."
This statement accurately reflects the concept of cognitive reframing. It involves identifying negative or unhelpful thoughts and consciously replacing them with positive, empowering, or rational thoughts. This technique is widely used in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help individuals manage stress, anxiety, and various mental health issues.

C. "I will focus on a mental image while concentrating on my breathing."
This statement describes a relaxation technique where individuals visualize a calming image and synchronize their breathing with this mental image. While this practice is beneficial for relaxation, it is not cognitive reframing. Cognitive reframing specifically deals with changing the content of thoughts, not necessarily focusing on mental imagery.

D. "I will progressively relax each of my muscle groups when feeling stressed."
This statement describes a relaxation technique known as progressive muscle relaxation. It involves tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups to reduce physical tension and stress. While this technique is excellent for relaxation, it is not cognitive reframing. Cognitive reframing pertains to changing thoughts, not physical sensations.

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A nurse is caring for a client who reports that he is angry with his partner because she thinks he is just trying to gain attention. When the nurse attempts to talk to the client, he becomes angry and tells her to leave. Which of the following defense mechanisms is the client demonstrating?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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