A practical nurse is assisting with the care of a client who was recently diagnosed with an advanced, incurable illness. The client spends hours each day researching experimental trials online, organizing a meticulous binder of laboratory values, and discussing the pathophysiology of the disease with the nursing staff in a detached, emotionless manner. Based on the client's behavior, which of the following is the most appropriate action by the practical nurse?
- Support the client's information-gathering behavior while remaining consistently available for emotional support when the client is ready.Cevap
- BGently redirect the client away from the research to ensure they progress properly through the expected stages of grieving.
- CPoint out to the client that focusing on experimental trials is a form of denial that prevents acceptance of the prognosis.
- DSet strict limits on the amount of time the client can spend researching the illness to prevent the escalation of underlying anxiety.
Cevap
The most appropriate action is to support the client's information-gathering behavior while remaining consistently available for emotional support when the client is ready.
The client is demonstrating intellectualization, an ego defense mechanism where emotional responses to a profound stressor are temporarily avoided by focusing exclusively on logic, facts, and cognitive data. Because defense mechanisms serve to protect the client from overwhelming anxiety, the practical nurse should not attempt to forcefully remove or confront them unless they pose a direct safety risk. The most therapeutic approach is to respect the client's current coping strategy while maintaining an open, supportive presence so the client feels safe expressing underlying emotions when they are eventually ready.
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Anahtar Kavram
Defense Mechanisms: Intellectualization and Therapeutic Communication