A nurse receives a telephone call from a client's family member, who asks the nurse for an update on the client's condition.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take to maintain the client's confidentiality?

 

Choice A rationale:

"Since I retired, I have entered many gardening competitions." This statement indicates compensation as a defense mechanism. Compensation involves emphasizing personal strengths in one area to shift focus from failure or weakness in another. In this case, the client is finding fulfillment and recognition in gardening competitions after retiring, compensating for the loss of work-related identity.

Choice B rationale:

Expressing relief about retirement due to negative work experiences doesn’t necessarily indicate compensation. It could be a coping mechanism, but it doesn't align with the compensation defense mechanism, which involves overachieving in one area to compensate for deficiencies in another.

Choice C rationale:

Choice D rationale:

Journaling about career accomplishments after layoffs indicates sublimation, not compensation. Sublimation is a defense mechanism where unacceptable impulses or behaviors are transformed into socially acceptable actions or pursuits, like channeling frustration or disappointment into creative or productive activities such as journaling.

Choice A rationale:

Research consistently shows that individuals who have a history of violent behavior are at a higher risk of engaging in future violent acts. This is a significant predictor because past behavior is often indicative of future behavior. Individuals with a history of violence may have difficulty managing anger, frustration, or stress, making them more prone to aggressive tendencies in various situations.

Choice B rationale:

Experiencing delusions refers to having false beliefs that are firmly held despite evidence to the contrary. While delusions can lead to erratic behavior, not all individuals experiencing delusions will become violent. The presence of delusions alone is not as strong a predictor of future violence as a documented history of violent behavior.

Choice C rationale:

While statistical data may indicate that males are more commonly involved in violent crimes, it is important to note that gender alone is not a reliable predictor of an individual's likelihood to become violent. Many males never engage in violent behavior, and focusing solely on gender overlooks crucial individual factors that contribute to violent tendencies.

Choice D rationale:

Having a history of being in prison suggests past involvement in criminal activities, but it does not directly predict future violent behavior. Some individuals may have been incarcerated for non-violent offenses or may have undergone rehabilitation, reducing their propensity for violence. Therefore, this choice is not as strong a predictor as previous violent behavior.