Defense Mechanisms Flashcards
Define compensation.
Real or imagined inadequacies are “covered” through the development or exaggeration of a desirable trait.
Real or imagined inadequacies are “covered” through the development or exaggeration of a desirable trait.
Which coping mechanism does this describe?
Compensation
A teenager who is very short in stature works out at a gym every day to become muscular.
This is an example of which coping mechanism?
Compensation
Emotional conflict is expressed through physical symptoms.
Which coping mechanism does this describe?
Conversion
Define conversion.
Emotional conflict is expressed through physical symptoms.
A woman who works as a typist experiences paralysis of the hands after her husband tells her he wants a divorce.
This is an example of which coping mechanism?
Conversion
Intolerable thoughts and impulses are consciously disowned.
Which coping mechanism does this describe?
Denial
Define denial.
Intolerable thoughts and impulses are consciously disowned.
A client who is a substance abuser denies that he has a problem and states, “I can stop drinking alcohol anytime I want.”
This is an example of which coping mechanism?
A client who is a substance abuser denies that he has a problem and states, “I can stop drinking alcohol anytime I want.”
Feelings toward one person are directed at another who is less threatening, thereby satisfying an impulse with a substitute object.
Which coping mechanism does this describe?
Displacement
Define displacement.
Feelings toward one person are directed at another who is less threatening, thereby satisfying an impulse with a substitute object.
After being reprimanded and belittled by his boss, a man comes home and starts an argument with his wife.
This is an example of which coping mechanism?
Displacement
An anxiety-provoking event or period is blocked from the conscious mind.
Which coping mechanism does this describe?
Dissociation
Define dissociation.
An anxiety-provoking event or period is blocked from the conscious mind.
A woman forgets that she was married 30 years ago to a physically abusive man.
This is an example of which coping mechanism?
Dissociation
Gratification is obtained through imaginary achievements and wishful thinking.
Which coping mechanism does this describe?
Fantasy
Define fantasy.
Gratification is obtained through imaginary achievements and wishful thinking.
A child who has a poor singing voice wants to be a rock star and spends his spare time in front of a mirror with a microphone, singing.
This is an example of which coping mechanism?
Fantasy
An unconscious attempt is made to change oneself to resemble an admired person.
Which coping mechanism does this describe?
Identification
Define identification.
An unconscious attempt is made to change oneself to resemble an admired person.
A teenager dresses like her favorite rock star.
This is an example of which coping mechanism?
Identification
Excessive reasoning to avoid feelings; thinking is disconnected from feelings, and situations are dealt with at a cognitive level.
Which coping mechanism does this describe?
Intellectualization
Define intellectualization.
Excessive reasoning to avoid feelings; thinking is disconnected from feelings, and situations are dealt with at a cognitive level.
A woman involved in divorce proceedings discusses divorce statistics in a support group instead of talking about her feelings regarding her divorce.
This is an example of which coping mechanism?
Intellectualization
In this behavior, a type of identification, the individual incorporates the traits or values of another into himself or herself.
Which coping mechanism does this describe?
Introjection
Define introjection.
In this behavior, a type of identification, the individual incorporates the traits or values of another into himself or herself.
After the death of her husband, a woman experiences chest pain that radiates down the left arm, the same symptom her husband had before he died.
This is an example of which coping mechanism?
Introjection
The individual transfers internal feelings, thoughts, and unacceptable ideas and traits to someone else.
Which coping mechanism does this describe?
Projection
Define projection.
The individual transfers internal feelings, thoughts, and unacceptable ideas and traits to someone else.
A woman who is overweight blames her boss for her obesity because her boss is so demanding.
This is an example of which coping mechanism?
Projection
The individual attempts to make unacceptable feelings and behaviors acceptable by justifying them.
Which coping mechanism does this describe?
Rationalization
Define rationalization.
The individual attempts to make unacceptable feelings and behaviors acceptable by justifying them.
An individual concludes that he wasn’t given a day off that he requested because his boss doesn’t like him.
This is an example of which coping mechanism?
Rationalization
The individual develops conscious attitudes and behaviors and acts out behaviors that may conflict with what he or she really feels.
Which coping mechanism does this describe?
Reaction formation
Define reaction formation.
The individual develops conscious attitudes and behaviors and acts out behaviors that may conflict with what he or she really feels.
An individual who eats too much constantly talks about the harmful effects of being overweight.
This is an example of which coping mechanism?
Reaction formation
A client is seen in the emergency department for complaints of chest pain and difficulty breathing. The results of laboratory and diagnostic tests are normal, indicating that there is no physiological basis for the complaints. On further assessment, the client tells the nurse that chest pain and difficulty breathing are the symptoms that his wife had before she died. Which type of defense mechanism does the nurse recognize in this behavior?
A) Projection
B) Introjection
C) Rationalization
D) Reaction formation
B) Introjection
The nurse is performing an assessment of a client who abuses alcohol. During the assessment, the client preaches about the evils of drinking. Which adaptive defense mechanism should the nurse recognize in the client’s behavior?
A) Projection
B) Identification
C) Rationalization
D) Reaction formation
D) Reaction formation
The individual returns to an earlier developmental stage to express an impulse in an attempt to deal with anxiety.
Which coping mechanism does this describe?
Regression
Define regression.
The individual returns to an earlier developmental stage to express an impulse in an attempt to deal with anxiety.
A hospitalized child who is potty-trained begins to wet the bed at night.
This is an example of which coping mechanism?
Regression
The individual blocks undesirable and unacceptable thoughts from conscious expression.
Which coping mechanism does this describe?
Repression
A man forgets about his wedding anniversary after having an argument with his wife.
This is an example of which coping mechanism?
Repression
Define repression.
The individual blocks undesirable and unacceptable thoughts from conscious expression.
The individual replaces an unacceptable need, attitude, or emotion with one that is more socially acceptable; this is always a constructive mechanism.
Which coping mechanism does this describe?
Sublimation
Define sublimation.
The individual replaces an unacceptable need, attitude, or emotion with one that is more socially acceptable; this is always a constructive mechanism.
An aggressive young man channels his energy into football and becomes a star.
This is an example of which coping mechanism?
Sublimation
Sublimation is never a __ coping mechanism.
destructive
The individual consciously and deliberately forgets unacceptable or painful thoughts, ideas, and feelings.
Which coping mechanism does this describe?
Suppression
Define suppression.
The individual consciously and deliberately forgets unacceptable or painful thoughts, ideas, and feelings.
A novelist who has been told by her boyfriend that he wants to end their relationship puts the situation aside until she can finish her manuscript.
This is an example of which coping mechanism?
Suppression
The individual engages in behavior that is considered the opposite of a previous unacceptable behavior, thought, or feeling.
Which coping mechanism does this describe?
Undoing
Define undoing.
The individual engages in behavior that is considered the opposite of a previous unacceptable behavior, thought, or feeling.
A man has an affair with another woman, then brings his wife a pair of diamond earrings.
This is an example of which coping mechanism?
Undoing
The nurse is working with several clients who are using maladaptive defense mechanisms. Which situation is an example of the maladaptive defense mechanism known as identification?
A) A client criticizes the nurse after his family fails to visit him.
B) A married man flirts with his secretary and then brings flowers home to his wife.
C) A young boy thinks that a neighborhood gang leader who sells illegal drugs is someone to look up to.
D) A nursing student who fears failure on a final exam develops a terrible headache and is unable to take the exam.
C) A young boy thinks that a neighborhood gang leader who sells illegal drugs is someone to look up to.
What are two roles of the nurse concerning coping mechanisms?
1) The nurse should help the client identify the source of anxiety and explore methods to reduce anxiety.
2) The nurse should identify the coping or defense mechanism that the client uses when confronted with anxiety, determine whether it is helpful or harmful, and encourage the use of appropriate mechanisms.
