A practical nurse (PN) is reviewing documentation for several clients in a community health setting. Match each client statement or behavior to the corresponding defense mechanism.
- "I skipped my physical therapy session today because the hospital parking lot is always too crowded."Rationalization
- A client who is devastated by a recent amputation screams at the dietary aide for bringing the wrong flavor of juice.Displacement
- A caregiver who previously expressed deep resentment about their duties tells the nurse, "I am so wonderfully blessed to spend every waking moment caring for my sick husband."Reaction formation
- A client who struggles with intense feelings of hostility joins a community martial arts program to channel their anger.Sublimation
Answer
The correct matches are: the parking excuse aligns with Rationalization, yelling at the aide aligns with Displacement, expressing extreme joy to mask resentment aligns with Reaction formation, and joining martial arts aligns with Sublimation.
Each scenario accurately illustrates a distinct defense mechanism: rationalization involves making excuses to protect self-esteem, displacement redirects strong emotions to a safer target, reaction formation expresses the exact opposite of true feelings to mask them, and sublimation channels unacceptable impulses into constructive, productive activities.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Ego Defense Mechanisms