A nurse is counseling a client for the management of anxiety. The client is consistently late for appointments and ignores household chores. The client states, "I'm just too stressed. I need someone to take care of me." The nurse identifies this behavior as an example of which of the following defense mechanisms?
Repression
Introjection
Dissociation
Regression
The Correct Answer is D
A. Repression: Repression involves unconsciously pushing unwanted thoughts, memories, or feelings out of conscious awareness. It involves burying distressing emotions or memories deep in the unconscious mind to avoid dealing with them consciously. In this scenario, the client's behavior does not suggest the repression of any specific thoughts or memories but rather a coping mechanism related to their current stress and anxiety.
B. Introjection: Introjection occurs when an individual internalizes the values, beliefs, or attitudes of others as if they were their own. It involves incorporating external standards or influences into one's own identity. While introjection may contribute to the client's behavior indirectly by influencing their beliefs about needing external support, the primary defense mechanism at play in this scenario is regression.
C. Dissociation: Dissociation involves a disruption in the integration of consciousness, memory, identity, or perception of the environment. It often manifests as a detachment from reality or a sense of being disconnected from oneself or the surrounding environment. While dissociation may occur in response to severe stress or trauma, it typically involves more extreme symptoms than those described by the client in this scenario.
D. Regression: Regression involves reverting to earlier, less mature behaviors or stages of development in response to stress or anxiety. It reflects a retreat to a more comfortable or familiar state in an attempt to cope with overwhelming emotions or situations. In this scenario, the client's statement about needing someone to take care of them suggests a desire to return to a state of dependency, which is characteristic of regression as a defense mechanism.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Negative Chvostek's sign: Chvostek's sign is a clinical sign of hypocalcemia, characterized by twitching of the facial muscles elicited by tapping over the facial nerve. A negative Chvostek's sign means that there is no twitching response, which is expected in individuals with normal calcium levels or hypercalcemia. Therefore, a preschooler with a calcium level of 8.0 mg/dL would likely not exhibit a negative Chvostek's sign.
B. Polyuria: Polyuria, or increased urine output, is not typically associated with hypocalcemia. Instead, it may be seen in conditions such as diabetes mellitus or diabetes insipidus, which affect water balance and urine production.
C. Dry, sticky mucous membranes: Dry, sticky mucous membranes are not characteristic findings of hypocalcemia. Instead, hypocalcemia may manifest with symptoms such as numbness or tingling around the mouth, hands, and feet; muscle cramps; and seizures. Mucous membrane changes are not typically specific to calcium levels.
D. Muscle tremors: Muscle tremors are a common manifestation of hypocalcemia. Low calcium levels can lead to increased neuromuscular irritability, resulting in muscle twitching or tremors. Other neuromuscular symptoms of hypocalcemia may include muscle cramps, tetany (prolonged muscle spasms), and seizures. Therefore, a preschooler with a calcium level of 8.0 mg/dL is more likely to exhibit muscle tremors as a result of hypocalcemia.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. "Placing your child on her back when sleeping will decrease the risk of SIDS." This statement is accurate. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants be placed on their backs to sleep to reduce the risk of SIDS. This sleep position has been associated with a significant decrease in the incidence of SIDS since it was introduced in the 1990s. It's essential to educate parents about safe sleep practices to protect their newborns.
B. "Sleep apnea is the main cause of SIDS." This statement is incorrect. Sleep apnea is a separate condition characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. SIDS, on the other hand, is the sudden and unexplained death of an otherwise healthy infant, usually during sleep. While the exact cause of SIDS is unknown, it is not related to sleep apnea.
C. "SIDS is directly correlated with the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccines." This statement is incorrect. There is no direct correlation between SIDS and the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) vaccines. Extensive research has shown that vaccines, including the DTaP vaccine, do not cause SIDS. In fact, vaccines are essential for preventing serious infectious diseases and protecting infants' health.
D. "SIDS rates have been rising over the last 10 years." This statement is incorrect. SIDS rates have actually been declining over the past few decades due to public health campaigns promoting safe sleep practices, including placing infants on their backs to sleep. While there may be fluctuations in rates from year to year, the overall trend has been a decrease in SIDS rates, not an increase.
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