PMH-BC Psychological Defense Mechanisms Questions &
Answers 2026 | High-Yield Psychiatric Nursing Review |
Graded A+
1. How does denial function as a psychological defense mechanism in coping
with stress?
Denial functions by allowing individuals to avoid confronting painful
realities, thus reducing immediate emotional distress.
Denial leads to increased awareness of one's emotions and thoughts.
Denial helps individuals to rationalize their behavior and justify their
actions.
Denial encourages individuals to express their feelings openly.
2. Suppression is to _____ as repression is to ___ _.
Motivated forgetting that occurs unconsciously; motivated forgetting
that occurs consciously
Retrograde amnesia; anterograde amnesia
Motivated forgetting that occurs consciously; motivated forgetting
that occurs unconsciously
Anterograde amnesia; retrograde amnesia
3. What is splitting?
When a person isolates their feelings towards a person.
When unconscious thoughts split and emerge as conscious thoughts.
When someone perceives the world in polarised terms, e.g. good
versus bad.
,4. How does reaction formation serve as a defense mechanism in psychological
terms?
It helps individuals express their true feelings in a socially acceptable
manner.
It leads individuals to ignore their feelings altogether.
It allows individuals to cope with anxiety by adopting attitudes that
are opposite to their true feelings.
It encourages individuals to confront their true feelings directly.
5. What is the definition of repression in psychological terms?
A conscious decision to ignore unpleasant thoughts.
A method of rationalizing one's behavior.
An unconscious forgetting of a traumatic event or feeling.
A technique for enhancing memory recall.
6. What is the definition of introjection in psychological terms?
Rejecting one's own beliefs and values.
Expressing one's feelings outwardly.
Substituting one's own beliefs with logical reasoning.
Taking on the beliefs and values of someone else.
7. Your client in crisis is detaching from self. Which psychological ego defense
mechanism is this client most likely using?
Reaction formation
Displacement
, Dissociation
Sublimation
8. What is the definition of dissociation as a psychological defense mechanism?
Refusing to accept reality
Suppressing unwanted thoughts
Justifying actions with logical reasons
Losing track of time or sense of self
9. A patient on antipsychotic medication begins to exhibit involuntary
movements. How would the use of the AIMS assist the healthcare team in
addressing this issue?
By diagnosing the patient with a new mental health disorder.
By quantifying the severity of extrapyramidal symptoms to guide
treatment adjustments.
By determining the patient's overall cognitive abilities.
By assessing the patient's mood stability.
10. In a clinical setting, if a patient refuses to acknowledge their diagnosis of a
serious illness, which psychological defense mechanism are they likely
exhibiting?
Repression
Rationalization
Denial
Projection
Answers 2026 | High-Yield Psychiatric Nursing Review |
Graded A+
1. How does denial function as a psychological defense mechanism in coping
with stress?
Denial functions by allowing individuals to avoid confronting painful
realities, thus reducing immediate emotional distress.
Denial leads to increased awareness of one's emotions and thoughts.
Denial helps individuals to rationalize their behavior and justify their
actions.
Denial encourages individuals to express their feelings openly.
2. Suppression is to _____ as repression is to ___ _.
Motivated forgetting that occurs unconsciously; motivated forgetting
that occurs consciously
Retrograde amnesia; anterograde amnesia
Motivated forgetting that occurs consciously; motivated forgetting
that occurs unconsciously
Anterograde amnesia; retrograde amnesia
3. What is splitting?
When a person isolates their feelings towards a person.
When unconscious thoughts split and emerge as conscious thoughts.
When someone perceives the world in polarised terms, e.g. good
versus bad.
,4. How does reaction formation serve as a defense mechanism in psychological
terms?
It helps individuals express their true feelings in a socially acceptable
manner.
It leads individuals to ignore their feelings altogether.
It allows individuals to cope with anxiety by adopting attitudes that
are opposite to their true feelings.
It encourages individuals to confront their true feelings directly.
5. What is the definition of repression in psychological terms?
A conscious decision to ignore unpleasant thoughts.
A method of rationalizing one's behavior.
An unconscious forgetting of a traumatic event or feeling.
A technique for enhancing memory recall.
6. What is the definition of introjection in psychological terms?
Rejecting one's own beliefs and values.
Expressing one's feelings outwardly.
Substituting one's own beliefs with logical reasoning.
Taking on the beliefs and values of someone else.
7. Your client in crisis is detaching from self. Which psychological ego defense
mechanism is this client most likely using?
Reaction formation
Displacement
, Dissociation
Sublimation
8. What is the definition of dissociation as a psychological defense mechanism?
Refusing to accept reality
Suppressing unwanted thoughts
Justifying actions with logical reasons
Losing track of time or sense of self
9. A patient on antipsychotic medication begins to exhibit involuntary
movements. How would the use of the AIMS assist the healthcare team in
addressing this issue?
By diagnosing the patient with a new mental health disorder.
By quantifying the severity of extrapyramidal symptoms to guide
treatment adjustments.
By determining the patient's overall cognitive abilities.
By assessing the patient's mood stability.
10. In a clinical setting, if a patient refuses to acknowledge their diagnosis of a
serious illness, which psychological defense mechanism are they likely
exhibiting?
Repression
Rationalization
Denial
Projection
