A nurse is caring for a client following the recent, sudden death of his partner. The client says, "I feel paralyzed and can't seem to cope with work or family responsibilities anymore." Which of the following types of crisis is the client demonstrating?

Repression is a defense mechanism that involves pushing distressing or anxiety-provoking thoughts, memories, or impulses into the unconscious mind. By repressing these thoughts, the individual can avoid dealing with the associated anxiety or discomfort. In the given scenario, the client escapes from anxiety-causing thoughts by ignoring their existence, which aligns with the concept of repression.

Denial, another defense mechanism, involves refusing to acknowledge the existence of a distressing reality or truth. However, in this case, the client is not denying the existence of the thoughts but rather ignoring or avoiding them.

Splitting is a defense mechanism characterized by the inability to integrate positive and negative qualities of oneself or others into a cohesive whole. It is not applicable in this situation.

Sublimation is a defense mechanism in which individuals redirect their unacceptable impulses into more socially acceptable outlets. It involves channeling potentially harmful or unacceptable desires into constructive behaviors. The given scenario does not reflect sublimation as the individual is not redirecting their anxiety into a productive activity or behavior.

Projection is a defense mechanism where an individual attributes their own thoughts, feelings, or impulses onto someone else. In this case, the client is attributing the cause of their drug use to their parents not allowing them to get a tattoo. By projecting their desire for a tattoo onto their parents' decision, the client is displacing their own feelings onto an external factor.

Incorrect:

A. Suppression: Suppression involves consciously pushing away or blocking unwanted thoughts, feelings, or impulses. The client's statement does not indicate an attempt to suppress any thoughts or emotions related to their drug use; instead, they are openly discussing the reason for their substance use.

B. Intellectualization: Intellectualization involves using excessive reasoning or logic to avoid acknowledging or experiencing associated emotions. The client's statement does not reflect intellectualization, as they are not overly relying on intellectual processes or attempting to detach themselves from the emotional aspects of their behavior.

C. Dissociation: Dissociation involves a temporary disconnection from thoughts, feelings, or memories to avoid emotional distress. The client's statement does not demonstrate dissociation, as they are connecting their drug use to a specific event and cause.