A nurse is caring for a client who states, "I did not take my medication because my partner forgot to remind me." The nurse should identify that the client is demonstrating which of the following defense mechanisms?

Choice A reason: Identification is a defense mechanism where the person adopts the characteristics or behaviors of someone else, usually someone more powerful or successful, to cope with feelings of inadequacy or insecurity.

Choice B reason: Denial is a defense mechanism where the person refuses to accept or acknowledge the reality of a situation or a problem, to avoid dealing with the negative emotions or consequences.

Choice C reason: Displacement is a defense mechanism where the person transfers their feelings or impulses from the original source to a less threatening or more acceptable one, to reduce the anxiety or guilt.

Choice D reason: Rationalization is a defense mechanism where the person uses logical or plausible explanations to justify or excuse their actions or behaviors, to avoid facing the true motives or reasons.

Choice A reason: Nurses can accomplish more if they perform the easiest or fastest interventions is not a primary reason for prioritizing care. This statement implies that nurses should focus on the quantity rather than the quality of care. However, nurses should prioritize care based on the urgency and complexity of the patient's needs, not on the ease or speed of the interventions. Performing the easiest or fastest interventions may not address the most important or critical issues that the patient faces.

Choice B reason: Nurses should always perform interventions related to client preference early in the shift is not a primary reason for prioritizing care. This statement implies that nurses should base their care on the patient's wishes rather than the patient's condition. However, nurses should prioritize care based on the severity and acuity of the patient's problems, not on the patient's preference. Performing interventions related to client preference early in the shift may not be feasible or appropriate if the patient has more urgent or emergent needs that require immediate attention.

Choice C reason: Nurses need to plan how to accomplish all activities within one shift is not a primary reason for prioritizing care. This statement implies that nurses should focus on the completion rather than the quality of care. However, nurses should prioritize care based on the significance and impact of the patient's outcomes, not on the completion of the activities. Accomplishing all activities within one shift may not be possible or necessary if the patient's situation changes or if some activities can be delegated or postponed.

Choice D reason: Nurses have a limited amount of time to perform nursing interventions during a shift is a primary reason for prioritizing care. This statement acknowledges that nurses face time constraints and competing demands in their work environment. Therefore, nurses should prioritize care based on the best use of their time and resources to meet the patient's needs. Having a limited amount of time to perform nursing interventions during a shift requires nurses to make clinical judgments and decisions that optimize the patient's health and safety.