Question

The client with a myocardial infarction comes to the nurse's station stating that he is ready to go home because there is nothing wrong with him. Which defense mechanism is the client using? A. Rationalization B. Denial C. Projection D. Conversion reaction

Short answer

A) Rationalization B) Denial C) Projection D) Conversion Reaction Answer: B) Denial

Step-by-step solution

Define Rationalization

Rationalization is a defense mechanism in which an individual justifies or excuses their actions or beliefs to reduce the anxiety caused by inconsistencies between their thoughts and actions. In this case, it would involve the client creating some justification for their belief that there is nothing wrong with them.

Define Denial

Denial is a defense mechanism in which an individual refuses to accept a reality or fact, essentially ignoring it, as a means of reducing distress and anxiety. In this case, the client would be denying that there is a problem even though they have had a myocardial infarction.

Define Projection

Projection is a defense mechanism in which an individual attributes their own undesirable thoughts or feelings onto someone else. In this situation, the client would be projecting their own feelings of being unwell onto someone else instead of admitting that they are experiencing an issue themselves.

Define Conversion Reaction

Conversion reaction is a defense mechanism in which emotional or mental distress is converted into physical symptoms, sometimes with no clear medical cause. In this situation, the client would be manifesting physical symptoms unrelated to their myocardial infarction as a way of avoiding acknowledging the issue.

Identify the Defense Mechanism

The appropriate defense mechanism in this case is Denial, as the client is refusing to accept that there is something wrong with them despite suffering a myocardial infarction. They are stating that they are ready to go home because there is nothing wrong with them, which clearly indicates denial. Therefore, the correct answer is: B. Denial