A nurse is caring for a client who has bipolar disorder.
The client yells at the nurse whenever medication changes are prescribed by the client's provider.
The nurse should identify that the client is using which of the following defense mechanisms?
Displacement.
Splitting.
Sublimation.
Conversion.
The Correct Answer is A
The correct answer is: a. Displacement.
Choice A Reason: Displacement is a defense mechanism where a person redirects a negative emotion from its original source to a less threatening recipient. In the context of bipolar disorder, a client may displace anger or frustration about their condition or treatment onto the nurse, who is not the source of these feelings. This redirection can occur because the client might feel powerless or uncomfortable expressing these emotions towards their healthcare provider, who is the authority figure prescribing medication changes.
Choice B Reason: Splitting is often associated with borderline personality disorder rather than bipolar disorder. It involves viewing things in extremes—either all good or all bad—with no middle ground. While individuals with bipolar disorder can exhibit black-and-white thinking, especially during mood episodes, the behavior described does not indicate splitting, as it does not involve idealizing or devaluing the nurse or provider.
Choice C Reason: Sublimation is a mature defense mechanism where socially unacceptable impulses or idealizations are unconsciously transformed into socially acceptable actions or behavior, often resulting in a long-term conversion of the initial impulse. For example, a person with aggressive tendencies might take up a sport that channels aggression in a socially acceptable way. The scenario provided does not suggest that the client is channeling their frustrations into a constructive activity.
Choice D Reason: Conversion involves the transfer of mental stress into physical symptoms. This defense mechanism is characteristic of conversion disorder, where psychological stress manifests as neurological symptoms like blindness, paralysis, or other sensory or motor symptoms without a medical cause. The client yelling at the nurse does not reflect a conversion of emotional distress into physical symptoms.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Carrying the baby to the nursery may not align with facility security measures. Typically, hospitals have strict protocols for baby transport within the facility, including the use of identification bands.
Choice B rationale:
Taking the baby to the lobby to visit family may also not be in line with security measures. Visitors should typically come to the designated patient areas rather than taking the baby to the lobby.
Choice C rationale:
Having an identification band that matches the one the baby wears is the correct understanding of facility security measures. This ensures proper identification of the baby and helps prevent infant abduction or mix-ups.
Choice D rationale:
Removing the security band to give it to a family member is not in line with security measures. The baby's identification band should remain intact at all times to ensure proper identification and security.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Documenting the medication error in the provider's progress notes is not the appropriate location for documenting a medication error. Progress notes are typically used to record the client's clinical progress and assessments, not incidents of medication errors.
Choice B rationale:
The controlled substance inventory record is used to track the dispensing and administration of controlled substances in a healthcare facility. Documenting a medication error in this record is not appropriate, as it is not the purpose of this document.
Choice C rationale:
Documenting the medication error in an incident report is the correct action. Incident reports are used to document and track adverse events or errors that occur in healthcare settings. This allows for proper investigation, analysis, and the implementation of preventive measures to avoid similar errors in the future.
Choice D rationale:
The nursing care plan is a document that outlines the client's nursing care needs, goals, and interventions. While it may include information about medication administration, it is not the appropriate place to document a medication error. An incident report is specifically designed for this purpose and ensures that the error is appropriately addressed and investigated.
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