A nurse in an urgent care facility is caring for a client who has traumatic injuries following an assault. The client sits quietly and calmly tells the nurse, "I'm fine." The nurse should recognize the client's behavior as which of the following reactions?
Projection
Displacement
Denial
Undoing
The Correct Answer is C
The client's behavior of stating "I'm fine" despite having traumatic injuries is an example of denial, a coping mechanism that involves denying that a problem or issue exists. Projection involves attributing one's own feelings to another person, displacement involves redirecting one's emotions onto a less threatening target, and undoing involves seeking to undo or forget past actions.
Choice A, projection, would involve the client attributing their own feelings to others.
Choice B, displacement, would involve the client redirecting their emotions onto someone or something else. Finally,
choice D, undoing, would involve the client attempting to forget or undo past actions.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Moderate. According to the Mayo Clinic moderate anxiety is characterized by symptoms such as loud and rapid speech, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, and increased worry. The client's behavior matches these symptoms, indicating that they are experiencing moderate anxiety.

Choice B. Panic is incorrect because panic is a severe form of anxiety that involves symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, trembling, and a sense of impending doom. The client does not exhibit these symptoms.
Choice C. Severe is incorrect because severe anxiety is marked by symptoms such as irrational fear, detachment from reality, hallucinations, and loss of control¹². The client does not show these symptoms.
Choice D. Mild is incorrect because mild anxiety is associated with symptoms such as nervousness, increased alertness, and slight discomfort¹². The client's symptoms are more intense than mild anxiety.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Increasing feelings of anger are a common symptom of PTSD after a sexual assault, as survivors may feel violated, powerless, or betrayed by the perpetrator or others. Anger can also be a way of coping with fear, anxiety, or guilt that may arise from the trauma.
Choice A is not correct because the increasing sense of attachment to others is not a typical response to sexual assault. Survivors may experience difficulties in trusting or relating to others, especially those who remind them of the assault or who do not support them.
Choice C is not correct because the constant need to talk about the event is not a characteristic of PTSD. Survivors may avoid thinking or talking about the trauma, as it can trigger distressing emotions or memories. Some survivors may choose to share their experiences with others, but this does not indicate PTSD.
Choice D is not correct because sleeping 12 hr or more each day is not an expected finding of PTSD after a sexual assault. Survivors may have trouble falling or staying asleep, or experience nightmares or flashbacks that disrupt their sleep quality. Sleeping too much can also be a sign of depression, which can co-occur with PTSD.
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