Nokea
A person who is speaking about a contender for a significant other's affection says in a gushy, syrupy voice, 'What a lovely person. That's someone I simply adore.' The individual is demonstrating what defense mechanism?
- A. Reaction formation
- B. Repression
- C. Projection
- D. Denial
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Reaction formation is an unconscious mechanism that keeps unacceptable feelings out of awareness by using the opposite behavior. Instead of expressing hatred for the other person, the individual gives praise. Denial operates unconsciously to allow an anxiety-producing idea, feeling, or situation to be ignored. Projection involves unconsciously disowning an unacceptable idea, feeling, or behavior by attributing it to another. Repression involves unconsciously placing an idea, feeling, or event out of awareness.
You may also like to solve these questions
A student says, 'Before taking a test, I feel a heightened sense of awareness and restlessness.' The nurse can correctly assess that the student's response is a result of what?
- A. Cultural influence
- B. Displacement
- C. Trait anxiety
- D. Mild anxiety
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Mild anxiety is rarely obstructive to the task at hand. It may be helpful to the patient because it promotes study and increases awareness of the nuances of questions. The incorrect responses have different symptoms.
A patient tells the nurse, 'I don't go to restaurants because people might laugh at the way I eat, or I could spill food and be laughed at.' The nurse assesses this behavior as consistent with which mental health diagnosis?
- A. Acrophobia
- B. Agoraphobia
- C. Social anxiety disorder
- D. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The fear of a potentially embarrassing situation represents social anxiety disorder (social phobia). Acrophobia is the fear of heights. Agoraphobia is the fear of a place in the environment. Posttraumatic stress disorder is associated with a major traumatic event.
Which comment by a person experiencing severe anxiety indicates the possibility of obsessive-compulsive disorder?
- A. I check where my car keys are eight times.
- B. My legs often feel weak and spastic.
- C. I'm embarrassed to go out in public.
- D. I keep reliving the car accident.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Recurring doubt (obsessive worry) and the need to check (compulsive behavior) suggest obsessive-compulsive disorder. The repetitive behavior is designed to decrease anxiety but fails and must be repeated. The statement, 'My legs feel weak most of the time,' is more in keeping with a somatoform disorder. Being embarrassed to go out in public is associated with an avoidant personality disorder. Reliving a traumatic event is associated with posttraumatic stress disorder.
A patient performs ritualistic hand washing. What should the nurse do to help the patient develop more effective coping strategies?
- A. Allow the patient to set a hand-washing schedule.
- B. Encourage the patient to participate in social activities.
- C. Encourage the patient to discuss hand-washing routines.
- D. Focus on the patient's symptoms rather than on the patient.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Because patients diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder become overly involved in rituals, promoting involvement with other people and activities is necessary to improve the patient's coping strategies. Daily activities prevent the constant focus on anxiety and its symptoms. The other interventions focus on the compulsive symptom.
A patient who is preparing for surgery has moderate anxiety and is unable to understand preoperative information. Which nursing intervention is appropriate?
- A. Reassure the patient that all nurses are skilled in providing postoperative care.
- B. Describe the procedure again in a calm manner, using simple language.
- C. Tell the patient that the staff is prepared to promote recovery.
- D. Encourage the patient to express feelings to his or her family.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Providing information in a calm, simple manner helps the patient grasp the important facts. Introducing extraneous topics as described in the incorrect options will further scatter the patient's attention.