A female client engages in repeated checks of door and window locks and behavior that prevents her from arriving on time and interfering with her ability to function effectively. Which action should the nurse take?

Choice A Rationale:
Ecchymotic blood accumulations (bruises) are indicative of possible trauma or injury to the scalp. In this case, it suggests that the hair loss is likely due to physical manipulation (such as pulling or arranging the hair to cover bald spots) rather than a medical condition.

Choice B rationale:
This choice suggests that evidence of patches of lost hair would be indicative of non-disease-related hair loss. However, this is not necessarily true. Medical conditions, such as alopecia areata, can also cause patchy hair loss without physical trauma. Therefore, it is not a definitive indicator that hair loss is not disease-related.

Choice C rationale:
Episodic complaints of pruritus (itching) could be associated with various scalp conditions, including those that lead to hair loss. Itching alone does not rule out disease-related hair loss. In fact, some medical conditions can cause both itching and hair loss.

Choice D rationale:
Erythema (redness) of localized lesions may suggest inflammation but does not necessarily indicate non-disease-related hair loss. Medical conditions can also cause localized inflammation and hair loss.

A. The client discusses moving to Hawaii instead of returning to rebuild her house.

Defense Mechanism: Fantasy

• Explanation: The client may be using fantasy as a way to escape from the painful reality of her situation. Discussing moving to a place like Hawaii, which may represent an idealized and stress-free environment, suggests a desire to avoid confronting the challenges and emotions associated with her current circumstances.

B. The client seems unemotional when talking about needing to rebuild her house.

Defense Mechanism: Isolation

• Explanation: Isolation, or emotional isolation, occurs when an individual separates emotions from the events or thoughts associated with them. The client's lack of emotional response when discussing rebuilding her house suggests that she may be isolating her feelings to avoid distress.

C. The client states that she sometimes forgets why she is in the hospital.

Defense Mechanism: Suppression

• Explanation: Suppression involves the conscious effort to avoid thinking about distressing thoughts or memories. The client's statement that she sometimes forgets why she is in the hospital may indicate an attempt to suppress or avoid focusing on the traumatic event that led to her hospitalization.

D. The client is frightened that the hospital will burn down.

Defense Mechanism: Denial

• Explanation: Denial involves refusing to accept the reality of a situation, which can manifest as irrational fears or beliefs. The client's fear that the hospital will burn down may reflect a form of denial, as she might be projecting her fear of the collapse (a traumatic event) onto another catastrophic event, thereby avoiding dealing with her actual trauma.

Summary of Answers:

• A. Fantasy - The client discusses moving to Hawaii instead of returning to rebuild her house.
• B. Isolation - The client seems unemotional when talking about needing to rebuild her house.
• C. Suppression - The client states that she sometimes forgets why she is in the hospital.
• D. Denial - The client is frightened that the hospital will burn down.