A patient undergoing diagnostic tests says. "Nothing is wrong with me except a stubborn chest cold." The spouse reports the patient smokes, coughs daily. lost 15 pounds and is easily fatigued. Which defense mechanism is the patient using?
Regression
Projection
Denial
Displacement
The Correct Answer is C
A. Regression is reverting to earlier developmental behaviors (e.g., thumb-sucking under stress). The patient is not showing childlike behaviors.
B. Projection involves attributing one’s own unacceptable feelings to others. The patient is not blaming others for symptoms.
C. Denial is refusing to acknowledge a painful reality. Despite clear symptoms and diagnostic testing, the patient minimizes illness by attributing it to "just a stubborn chest cold."
D. Displacement is redirecting emotions onto a safer target (e.g., yelling at spouse instead of boss). Not evident here.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. This occurs when the nurse projects personal feelings about someone from their own life onto the patient (e.g., comparing the patient to a grandparent and feeling sadness).
B. This refers to severe emotional outbursts in cognitively impaired patients, not nurse behavior.
C. This would involve the nurse using defense mechanisms to protect themselves from anxiety, not relating to the patient as a grandparent.
D. Transference is when the patient projects feelings onto the nurse, not the other way around.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Communication disorders involve difficulties with speech, language, or communication (e.g., stuttering, limited vocabulary). The main problem here is hyperactivity, not speech/language impairment.
B. ADHD is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Behaviors such as being in constant motion, excessive talking, lack of sustained interest in activities, and getting up early with energy are hallmark signs of hyperactive/impulsive type ADHD.
C. Intellectual development disorder (formerly mental retardation) involves below-average intellectual functioning and impaired adaptive skills, not constant hyperactivity and excessive talking.
D. Stereotypic movement disorder is repetitive, purposeless motor behavior (e.g., hand flapping, head banging), not generalized hyperactivity and impulsivity.
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