A nurse assessing a client who has a new diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A. "We can call your family in time for them to get here."

While involving the family is important, this response assumes that the client's concern is solely about family being present. The client's statement might have deeper emotional layers, such as fear or regret, that should be addressed.

B. "Tell your family of your concern so that they can be here."

This response puts the responsibility on the client to communicate their concerns to the family. The nurse's role is to provide support and facilitate communication, rather than placing the burden on the client.

C. "I will make sure a staff member is in your room at all times."

While ensuring the client is not alone is important, this response doesn't address the client's emotional concerns or open a dialogue about their feelings. Simply having a staff member present might not address the underlying fear or anxiety the client is experiencing.

D. "I wonder if you are fearful of dying alone."

Explanation: The nurse's response empathizes with the client's feelings and invites a conversation about their emotions. It acknowledges the client's concerns and opens the door for a more in-depth discussion about their fears and feelings regarding dying alone. This approach is patient-centered and encourages the client to express their emotions.

A. Regression: Incorrect

Regression is a defense mechanism in which a person reverts to an earlier stage of development in response to stress or anxiety. For example, an adult might start behaving like a child when faced with a difficult situation. In this case, the student berating the teacher doesn't demonstrate a return to an earlier developmental stage, so regression is not the correct choice.

B. Conversion: Incorrect

Conversion refers to the conversion of emotional distress into physical symptoms, such as experiencing physical pain without any apparent physical cause. This mechanism is often seen in conditions like conversion disorder. The student berating the teacher is not exhibiting physical symptoms as a response to emotional distress, so conversion is not the correct choice.

C. Projection: Correct

Projection is the act of attributing one's own unacceptable feelings or thoughts to another person. In this scenario, the student is projecting their own failure onto the teacher and the course by blaming them for the failure. They are unable to accept their own role in the failure and are instead placing the blame on external factors. This aligns with the behavior described in the scenario.

D. Undoing: Incorrect

Undoing involves trying to compensate for or negate an unacceptable action or thought with a contrary action. For instance, someone who had angry thoughts might engage in excessive acts of kindness to "undo" those thoughts. The student berating the teacher is not engaging in actions to negate their negative feelings or thoughts; they are expressing their frustration directly.