A nurse at a college campus mental health counseling center is caring for a student who just failed an examination. The student spends the session berating the teacher and the course. The nurse should recognize this behavior as which of the following defense mechanisms?

Regression

Conversion

Projection

Undoing

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

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.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A) Decreased display of emotions:

While changes in emotional expression can occur in individuals with dementia, it's not a primary manifestation that is typically emphasized when educating families. Behavioral and psychological symptoms, including changes in emotion and personality, can be seen in dementia, but forgetfulness progressing to disorientation is a more direct and characteristic symptom of the condition.

B) Forgetfulness gradually progressing to disorientation

Explanation:

When educating the family of a client with dementia, the nurse should inform them to expect forgetfulness that gradually progresses to disorientation. Dementia is a progressive cognitive decline that affects memory, thinking, and reasoning. Forgetfulness is often one of the initial symptoms of dementia, and as the condition advances, individuals can become disoriented to time, place, and even people. This progression occurs due to the degeneration of brain cells and the accumulation of abnormal proteins.

C) Personality traits that are opposite of original traits:

Changes in personality traits can indeed occur as a result of dementia, but this may not be the most prominent or early manifestation that the nurse would want to highlight when educating the family. The gradual progression of forgetfulness leading to disorientation is a more specific and foundational aspect of dementia.

D) Decreased auditory and visual acuity:

Decreased sensory acuity, such as auditory and visual acuity, can happen with age and various health conditions, but they are not primary manifestations of dementia. Dementia primarily affects cognitive functions like memory, thinking, and reasoning.

A. The client responds to questions with disorganized speech. B. The client reports that voices are telling him to write a novel. C. The client's spouse reports that client has recently gained weight. D. The client is dressed in all black.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. The client responds to questions with disorganized speech:

Disorganized speech is a hallmark of acute mania, often reflecting racing thoughts, pressured speech, and difficulty staying on topic.

B. The client reports that voices are telling him to write a novel:

Reporting that voices are telling the client to write a novel suggests auditory hallucinations, which can occur in various psychiatric conditions, not specifically indicative of acute mania.

C. The client's spouse reports that the client has recently gained weight:

Weight gain is not a typical hallmark of acute mania. In fact, during manic episodes, individuals might experience decreased appetite and sleep, leading to potential weight loss.

D. The client is dressed in all black:

Dressing in all black is not a specific sign of acute mania. While changes in clothing choices or appearance can sometimes be associated with mood changes, this finding alone is not indicative of acute mania.

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A nurse at a college campus mental health counseling center is caring for a student who just failed an examination. The student spends the session berating the teacher and the course. The nurse should recognize this behavior as which of the following defense mechanisms?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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