NCLEX Psychosocial Questions Related

Review NCLEX Psychosocial Questions related questions and content

A 19-year-old client is paralyzed in a car accident. Which statement used by the client would indicate to the nurse that the client was using the mechanism of 'suppression'?

  • A. "I don't remember anything about what happened to me."?
  • B. "I'd rather not talk about it right now."?
  • C. "It's the other entire guy's fault! He was going too fast."?
  • D. "My mother is heartbroken about this."?
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is, '"I don't remember anything about what happened to me."?' Suppression involves willfully putting an unacceptable thought or feeling out of one's mind. In this case, the client is purposely choosing not to remember details of the traumatic event to avoid dealing with the associated emotions. Choice B, '"I'd rather not talk about it right now,"?' suggests avoidance or deflection rather than active suppression. Choice C, '"It's the other entire guy's fault! He was going too fast,"?' indicates blaming someone else for the situation, which is a form of defense mechanism known as externalization. Choice D, '"My mother is heartbroken about this,"?' expresses empathy towards the mother's emotions and does not demonstrate suppression of personal feelings.