A woman receives a $1 per hour raise. She was expecting to receive an increase of $5 per hour and a promotion. She is furious but says nothing and smiles. That night at home, she kicks her cat for no apparent cause. This is an example of which of the following?
Denial
Sublimation
Countertransference
Displacement
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Denial involves refusing to acknowledge reality or emotions. In this case, the woman is aware of her anger but chooses not to express it directly, so denial does not apply.
Choice B reason: Sublimation is a defense mechanism where unacceptable impulses are transformed into socially acceptable actions. For example, channeling anger into exercise or art. Kicking a cat is not a socially acceptable outlet.
Choice C reason: Countertransference refers to a therapist’s emotional reaction to a client, often based on the therapist’s own unresolved issues. This concept does not apply to the woman’s personal reaction in a non-clinical setting.
Choice D reason: Displacement occurs when emotions are redirected from the original source to a safer or more acceptable target. The woman cannot express her anger at work, so she redirects it toward her cat, making this a textbook example of displacement.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Nausea and vomiting are common in both opioid and benzodiazepine withdrawal. They are nonspecific symptoms and do not help differentiate between the two conditions.
Choice B reason: Frequent yawning is a hallmark symptom of opioid withdrawal and is not typically seen in benzodiazepine withdrawal. It is a distinctive autonomic sign that can help clinicians identify opioid withdrawal.
Choice C reason: Restlessness and agitation are seen in both types of withdrawal. While they are important clinical features, they do not help distinguish between opioid and benzodiazepine withdrawal.
Choice D reason: Anxiety is a prominent symptom in benzodiazepine withdrawal and can also occur in opioid withdrawal. However, it is more characteristic of benzodiazepine withdrawal and does not serve as a distinguishing feature.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Sublimation is a mature defense mechanism where unacceptable impulses are transformed into socially acceptable actions or behaviors. For example, someone might channel aggressive impulses into competitive sports. This does not apply to the scenario, as the man is not redirecting his behavior into a constructive outlet but rather continuing harmful behavior.
Choice B reason: Denial is a primitive defense mechanism where a person refuses to accept reality or facts. In the context of substance use, denial is common among individuals with alcohol use disorder. The man’s repeated arrests and continued drinking, coupled with his insistence that he has no problem, exemplify denial. He is rejecting the reality of his condition and its consequences, which is a hallmark of this defense mechanism.
Choice C reason: Reaction formation involves behaving in a way that is opposite to one's true feelings or desires. For example, someone who feels hostility might act overly friendly. This does not fit the scenario, as the man is not displaying behavior contrary to his internal state—he is simply refusing to acknowledge the problem.
Choice D reason: Repression is an unconscious process where distressing thoughts or memories are pushed out of conscious awareness. While repression may play a role in substance use disorders, the man’s overt behavior and verbal denial suggest a conscious refusal to accept reality, which aligns more closely with denial than repression.
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