A nurse is collecting data from a client who has histrionic personality disorder. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Choice A reason: Fecal impaction typically presents with the inability to pass stool and may not be associated with the absence of bowel sounds.

Choice B reason: Incisional infection is usually indicated by localized redness, warmth, and possible discharge, not necessarily by the absence of bowel sounds or flatus.

Choice C reason: Health care-associated Clostridium difficile often presents with diarrhea, not the absence of bowel sounds or flatus.

Choice D reason: Paralytic ileus is characterized by impaired intestinal motility and transit, absence of the passage of flatus, diminished bowel sounds, abdominal distension, and intestinal dilatation, fitting the symptoms described.

Choice A reason: Displacement is a defense mechanism where a person redirects a negative emotion from its original source to a less threatening recipient, which is what Mr. Thomas is doing.

Choice B reason: Projection involves attributing one's own unacceptable feelings or thoughts to others, which is not what Mr. Thomas is doing.

Choice C reason: Regression is a return to earlier stages of development when faced with stress, which does not describe Mr. Thomas's behavior.

Choice D reason: Reaction formation involves behaving in a way that is opposite to what one truly feels, which is not indicated in this scenario.