Review the following client behaviors documented on a medical-surgical unit. Pair each specific client action or statement with the psychological defense mechanism it best demonstrates.
- A client who previously expressed intense resentment toward their spouse now loudly praises the spouse's 'absolute perfection' as a caregiver to anyone who will listen.Reaction formation
- A client experiencing deep anger regarding a new physical disability intensely channels this emotional energy into training for a competitive wheelchair marathon.Sublimation
- Shortly after shouting profanities at the nursing staff over a delayed medication, the client spends an hour meticulously cleaning their bedside table and offers to buy the nurses lunch.Undoing
- When informed that a severe infection will require a prolonged hospital stay, the client emotionally detaches and begins quoting research statistics about antibiotic efficacy rates.Intellectualization
Answer
Reaction formation matches the exaggerated praise hiding resentment. Sublimation matches channeling anger into marathon training. Undoing matches attempting to make up for a verbal outburst with gifts and cleaning. Intellectualization matches quoting statistics to avoid the emotional weight of a prolonged stay.
Each client behavior perfectly aligns with a specific defense mechanism used to protect against severe anxiety. Reaction formation reverses true feelings, sublimation redirects negative energy constructively, undoing attempts to cancel out bad behavior, and intellectualization blocks emotion using academic reasoning.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Identifying and differentiating ego defense mechanisms used by clients to cope with acute stress.