Question

A female client is admitted to the emergency department after being sexually assaulted. The nurse notes that the client is sitting calmly and quietly in the examination room and recognizes this behavior as a protective defense mechanism. What defense mechanism is the client exhibiting?

Intellectualization Denial Regression Displacement

Answer 1

The client is exhibiting the defense mechanism of denial.

Step-by-step explanation:

The defense mechanism that the client is exhibiting in this situation is denial.

Denial is a defense mechanism where a person refuses to acknowledge or accept the reality of a situation or experience. In this case, the client is sitting calmly and quietly in the examination room, which can be a way of denying or blocking out the emotional and psychological impact of the sexual assault.

This behavior is a protective mechanism because it allows the client to temporarily avoid facing the overwhelming emotions and distress associated with the assault.

Answer 2

The client is exhibiting the defense mechanism of _Intellectualization_.It informs the approach to care, emphasizing sensitivity and support to address both the cognitive and emotional aspects of the client's experience

Step-by-step explanation:

Intellectualization is a defense mechanism in which a person deals with emotional or traumatic experiences by excessively using their intellect or rationalizing the situation, distancing themselves from the associated emotions.

In the context of the sexually assaulted client sitting calmly and quietly in the examination room, intellectualization serves as a protective mechanism, allowing the individual to cope by focusing on the cognitive aspects rather than the emotional distress.

In this situation, the client's calm and quiet demeanor may mask underlying emotional turmoil. The intellectualization defense mechanism enables the individual to detach from the immediate emotional impact of the assault, creating a cognitive barrier to shield against overwhelming feelings.

It allows the person to analyze the experience from a more detached perspective, providing a temporary sense of control over the distressing emotions associated with the traumatic event.

Understanding and recognizing defense mechanisms, such as intellectualization, are crucial for healthcare professionals, especially in the context of providing care for individuals who have experienced trauma.

It informs the approach to care, emphasizing sensitivity and support to address both the cognitive and emotional aspects of the client's experience.