Stress & Defense Mechanisms

Question 0

Defense Mechanisms

Answer 0

1. Dysfunctional behavior may occur when a defense mechanism is used as a response to anxiety
2. individuals may use defense mechanisms as a way to manage conflict in response to anxiety.
3. Reversible
4. Can be adaptive or maladaptive

Question 1

Stress can result from:

Answer 1

a change in one’s environment that is threatening, causes challenges, or is perceived as damaging to that person’s well-being. Stress causes anxiety.

Question 2

Healthy Defense Mechanisms

Answer 2

1. Altruism and sublimation are always healthy
2. Other defense mechanisms can be used in a healthy manner, however, if used inappropriately or repetitively may become maladaptive.

Question 3

Altruism

Answer 3

1. Dealing with anxiety by reaching out to others

Question 4

Sublimation

Answer 4

Dealing with unacceptable feelings or impulses by unconsciously substituting acceptable forms of expression

Question 5

Immature defense mechanisms

Answer 5

1. projection
2. dissociation
3. splitting
4. denial

Question 6

Reaction formation

Answer 6

overcompensating or demonstrating the opposite behavior of what is felt

Question 7

Denial

Answer 7

Pretending the truth is not reality to manage the anxiety of acknowledging what is real

Question 8

Repression

Answer 8

putting unacceptable ideas, thoughts, and emotions out of conscious awareness

Question 9

Intermediate defense mechanisms

Answer 9

1. Repression
2. Reaction formation
3. displacement
4. rationalization
5. undoing

Question 10

Dissociation

Answer 10

Temporarily blocking memories and perceptions from consciousness.

Question 11

Splitting

Answer 11

Demonstrating an inability to reconcile negative and positive attributes of self or others.

A client tells a nurse that she is the only one who cares about her, yet the following day, the same client refuses to talk to the nurse.

Question 12

Projection

Answer 12

blaming others for unacceptable thoughts and feelings

Question 13

Displacement

Answer 13

shifting feelings related to an object, person, or situation to another less threatening object, person, or situation.

Question 14

Rationalization

Answer 14

creating reasonable and acceptable explanations for unacceptable behavior

Question 15

Undoing

Answer 15

performing an act to make up for prior behavior

Question 16

Suppression

Answer 16

Voluntarily denying unpleasant thoughts and feelings

Question 17

Normal

Anxiety

Answer 17

A healthy life force that is necessary for survival, normal anxiety motivates people to take action.

Question 18

Acute (state)

Anxiety

Answer 18

This level of anxiety is precipitated by an imminent loss or change that threatens one’s sense of security.

Question 19

Chronic (trait)

Anxiety

Answer 19

This level of anxiety is one that usually develops over time, often starting in childhood. May display anxiety as physical symptoms such as fatigue and frequent headaches.

Question 20

Mild

Levels of Anxiety

Answer 20

1. Occurs in normal experience of everyday living
2. increases one’s ability to perceive reality
3. identifiable cause
4. mild discomfort, restlessness, irritability, impatience, and apprehension
5. finger or foot tapping, fidgeting, or lip chewing.

Question 21

Moderate

Levels of Anxiety

Answer 21

1. occurs when mild anxiety escalates
2. slightly reduced perception and processing of info
3. ability to think clearly impaired, problem solving still may occur
4. pacing, voice tremors, shakiness, increase HR, RR, insomnia, headaches, back pain
5. usually benefits from direction of others

Question 22

Severe

Levels of Anxiety

Answer 22

1. Perceptual field is greatly reduced with distorted perceptions
2. learning and problem solving do not occur
3. functioning is ineffective
4. confusion, impending doom, hyperventilation, tachycardia, withdrawal, loud, rapid speech, aimless activity
5. Usually not able to take direction from others

Question 23

Panic-level

Levels of Anxiety

Answer 23

1. Markedly disturbed behavior
2. not able to process what is occurring in the environment and my lose touch with reality
3. extreme fright or horror
4. hyperactivity or flight
5. immobility can occur
6. dysfunction of speech, dilated pupils, severe shakiness, withdrawal, inability to sleep, delusions, & hallucinations.