Mental Health EAQs Exam Questions
With 100% Correct Answers
\.A client who recently was diagnosed as having myelocytic leukemia discusses the diagnosis by
referring to statistics, facts, and figures. The nurse determines that the client is using which
defense mechanism? - Answer-✔INTELLECTUALIZATION: Intellectualization is the use of
reasoning and thought processes to avoid the emotional aspects of a situation; this is a defense
against anxiety. Projection is denying unacceptable traits and regarding them as belonging to
another person. Sublimation is a defense wherein the person redirects the energy of
unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable behaviors or activities. Identification is the
reduction of anxiety by imitating someone respected or feared.
\.Incidences of child molestation often are revealed years later when the victim is an adult.
Which defense mechanism reflects this situation? - Answer-✔REPRESSION: is a coping
mechanism in which unacceptable feelings are kept out of conscious awareness; later, under
stress or anxiety, thoughts or feelings surface and come into one's conscious awareness.
Isolation is the separation of a thought from a feeling tone. Regression is the use of an
unconscious coping mechanism through which a person avoids anxiety by returning to an
earlier more satisfying or comfortable time in life. Introjection is the integration of the beliefs
and values of another into one's own ego structure.
\.A client's hands are raw and bloody from a ritual involving frequent hand washing. Which
defense mechanism does the nurse identify? - Answer-✔UNDOING: is an act that partially
negates a previous one; the client is using this primitive defense mechanism to reduce anxiety.
Clients who wash their hands compulsively may be having thoughts that they consider "dirty."
Projection is the attribution of one's thoughts or impulses to another. Introjection is treating
something outside the self as if it is actually inside the self. Suppression is a process that is often
considered to be as a defense mechanism, but it is actually a conscious, intentional exclusion of
material from one's awareness.
,\.An older adult who lives alone tells a nurse at the community health center, "I really don't
need anyone to talk to. The TV is my best friend." What defense mechanism does the nurse
identify? - Answer-✔DENIAL: The client's statement is an example of the use of denial, a
defense that blocks problems by unconsciously refusing to admit that they exist. Projection is a
defense that is used to deny unacceptable feelings and emotions and attribute them to others.
Sublimation is a defense in which socially acceptable behavior is substituted for unacceptable
instincts. Displacement is a defense that is used to allow the shifting of feeling from an
emotionally charged person or object to a safe substitute person or object.
\.After an automobile collision involving a fatality and a subsequent arrest for speeding, a client
has amnesia regarding the events surrounding the accident. Which defense mechanism is being
used by the client? - Answer-✔REPRESSION: is coping with overwhelming emotions by blocking
awareness or memory of the stressful event. Projection is attributing one's own unacceptable
feelings and thoughts to others. Suppression is consciously keeping unacceptable feelings and
thoughts out of awareness. Rationalization is the attempt to mask unacceptable feelings or
behaviors by providing excuses and explanations.
\.A nurse reminds a client that it is time for group therapy. The client responds by shouting,
"You're always telling me what to do, just like my father!" What defense mechanism is the client
using? - Answer-✔TRANSFERENCE: a client assigns to someone the feelings and attitudes
originally associated with an important significant other. In regression a client reverts to past
levels of coping to reduce anxiety. In reaction formation a client displays the exact opposite
behavior, attitude, or feeling to that which is demonstrated in a given situation. Cognitive
distortions are thought patterns that exaggerate reality or are irrational, such as black-and-
white thinking or overgeneralization.
\.A client with diabetes mellitus is able to discuss in detail the diabetic metabolic process while
eating a piece of chocolate cake. What defense mechanism does the nurse identify when
evaluating this behavior? - Answer-✔INTELLECTUALIZATION: is the avoidance of a painful
emotion with the use of a rational explanation that removes the event from any personal
significance. Projection is the attribution of unacceptable thoughts and feelings to others.
Dissociation is a temporary alteration of consciousness or identity used to handle conflict;
amnesia is an example. Displacement is the discharge of a pent-up feeling, generally hostility, on
an object or person perceived to be weaker than the person who aroused the feelings.
, \.A client in the mental health clinic who has concerns about getting married says to the nurse,
"I guess I'd better get married. All the plans are made and paid for, and the invitations have all
been mailed." What defense mechanism is the client using? - Answer-✔RATIONALIZATION:
seemingly logical reasons are used to justify behaviors or feelings that are unacceptable or
painful. This is not introjection, because the client has not assumed the feelings of another. This
is not identification, because the client has not attempted to emulate another person. This is
not compensation, because the client is not counterbalancing deficiencies in one area by
excelling in another area.
\.A client in the mental health clinic who has been seeing a therapist for more than 6 months
begins to talk and act like a therapist who is analyzing coworkers. What defense mechanism
does the nurse identify? - Answer-✔INTROJECTION: is treating something outside the self as if it
is actually inside the self; it is unconsciously incorporating the wishes, values, and attitudes of
another as if they were one's own. Undoing is taking some action to counteract or make up for a
wrongdoing. Projection is attributing to another person or group one's own unacceptable
attitudes or characteristics. Intellectualization is using logical explanations without feelings or an
affective component.
\.A nurse reminds a client that it is time for group therapy. The client responds by shouting,
"You're always telling me what to do, just like my father!" What defense mechanism is the client
using? - Answer-✔TRANSFERENCE: a client assigns to someone the feelings and attitudes
originally associated with an important significant other. In regression a client reverts to past
levels of coping to reduce anxiety. In reaction formation a client displays the exact opposite
behavior, attitude, or feeling to that which is demonstrated in a given situation. Cognitive
distortions are thought patterns that exaggerate reality or are irrational, such as black-and-
white thinking or overgeneralization.
\.A male long-distance jumper improves his distance by 3 ½ inches (8 cm) and earns the praise
of his coach, but on another day, when he does not reach his mark, he forcefully kicks the door
of his locker. What defense mechanism does his outburst demonstrate? - Answer-
✔DISPLACEMENT: is the discharging of pent-up feelings on a less threatening object, in this case
the locker door. Anger is not a defense mechanism. Projection is attributing one's own
With 100% Correct Answers
\.A client who recently was diagnosed as having myelocytic leukemia discusses the diagnosis by
referring to statistics, facts, and figures. The nurse determines that the client is using which
defense mechanism? - Answer-✔INTELLECTUALIZATION: Intellectualization is the use of
reasoning and thought processes to avoid the emotional aspects of a situation; this is a defense
against anxiety. Projection is denying unacceptable traits and regarding them as belonging to
another person. Sublimation is a defense wherein the person redirects the energy of
unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable behaviors or activities. Identification is the
reduction of anxiety by imitating someone respected or feared.
\.Incidences of child molestation often are revealed years later when the victim is an adult.
Which defense mechanism reflects this situation? - Answer-✔REPRESSION: is a coping
mechanism in which unacceptable feelings are kept out of conscious awareness; later, under
stress or anxiety, thoughts or feelings surface and come into one's conscious awareness.
Isolation is the separation of a thought from a feeling tone. Regression is the use of an
unconscious coping mechanism through which a person avoids anxiety by returning to an
earlier more satisfying or comfortable time in life. Introjection is the integration of the beliefs
and values of another into one's own ego structure.
\.A client's hands are raw and bloody from a ritual involving frequent hand washing. Which
defense mechanism does the nurse identify? - Answer-✔UNDOING: is an act that partially
negates a previous one; the client is using this primitive defense mechanism to reduce anxiety.
Clients who wash their hands compulsively may be having thoughts that they consider "dirty."
Projection is the attribution of one's thoughts or impulses to another. Introjection is treating
something outside the self as if it is actually inside the self. Suppression is a process that is often
considered to be as a defense mechanism, but it is actually a conscious, intentional exclusion of
material from one's awareness.
,\.An older adult who lives alone tells a nurse at the community health center, "I really don't
need anyone to talk to. The TV is my best friend." What defense mechanism does the nurse
identify? - Answer-✔DENIAL: The client's statement is an example of the use of denial, a
defense that blocks problems by unconsciously refusing to admit that they exist. Projection is a
defense that is used to deny unacceptable feelings and emotions and attribute them to others.
Sublimation is a defense in which socially acceptable behavior is substituted for unacceptable
instincts. Displacement is a defense that is used to allow the shifting of feeling from an
emotionally charged person or object to a safe substitute person or object.
\.After an automobile collision involving a fatality and a subsequent arrest for speeding, a client
has amnesia regarding the events surrounding the accident. Which defense mechanism is being
used by the client? - Answer-✔REPRESSION: is coping with overwhelming emotions by blocking
awareness or memory of the stressful event. Projection is attributing one's own unacceptable
feelings and thoughts to others. Suppression is consciously keeping unacceptable feelings and
thoughts out of awareness. Rationalization is the attempt to mask unacceptable feelings or
behaviors by providing excuses and explanations.
\.A nurse reminds a client that it is time for group therapy. The client responds by shouting,
"You're always telling me what to do, just like my father!" What defense mechanism is the client
using? - Answer-✔TRANSFERENCE: a client assigns to someone the feelings and attitudes
originally associated with an important significant other. In regression a client reverts to past
levels of coping to reduce anxiety. In reaction formation a client displays the exact opposite
behavior, attitude, or feeling to that which is demonstrated in a given situation. Cognitive
distortions are thought patterns that exaggerate reality or are irrational, such as black-and-
white thinking or overgeneralization.
\.A client with diabetes mellitus is able to discuss in detail the diabetic metabolic process while
eating a piece of chocolate cake. What defense mechanism does the nurse identify when
evaluating this behavior? - Answer-✔INTELLECTUALIZATION: is the avoidance of a painful
emotion with the use of a rational explanation that removes the event from any personal
significance. Projection is the attribution of unacceptable thoughts and feelings to others.
Dissociation is a temporary alteration of consciousness or identity used to handle conflict;
amnesia is an example. Displacement is the discharge of a pent-up feeling, generally hostility, on
an object or person perceived to be weaker than the person who aroused the feelings.
, \.A client in the mental health clinic who has concerns about getting married says to the nurse,
"I guess I'd better get married. All the plans are made and paid for, and the invitations have all
been mailed." What defense mechanism is the client using? - Answer-✔RATIONALIZATION:
seemingly logical reasons are used to justify behaviors or feelings that are unacceptable or
painful. This is not introjection, because the client has not assumed the feelings of another. This
is not identification, because the client has not attempted to emulate another person. This is
not compensation, because the client is not counterbalancing deficiencies in one area by
excelling in another area.
\.A client in the mental health clinic who has been seeing a therapist for more than 6 months
begins to talk and act like a therapist who is analyzing coworkers. What defense mechanism
does the nurse identify? - Answer-✔INTROJECTION: is treating something outside the self as if it
is actually inside the self; it is unconsciously incorporating the wishes, values, and attitudes of
another as if they were one's own. Undoing is taking some action to counteract or make up for a
wrongdoing. Projection is attributing to another person or group one's own unacceptable
attitudes or characteristics. Intellectualization is using logical explanations without feelings or an
affective component.
\.A nurse reminds a client that it is time for group therapy. The client responds by shouting,
"You're always telling me what to do, just like my father!" What defense mechanism is the client
using? - Answer-✔TRANSFERENCE: a client assigns to someone the feelings and attitudes
originally associated with an important significant other. In regression a client reverts to past
levels of coping to reduce anxiety. In reaction formation a client displays the exact opposite
behavior, attitude, or feeling to that which is demonstrated in a given situation. Cognitive
distortions are thought patterns that exaggerate reality or are irrational, such as black-and-
white thinking or overgeneralization.
\.A male long-distance jumper improves his distance by 3 ½ inches (8 cm) and earns the praise
of his coach, but on another day, when he does not reach his mark, he forcefully kicks the door
of his locker. What defense mechanism does his outburst demonstrate? - Answer-
✔DISPLACEMENT: is the discharging of pent-up feelings on a less threatening object, in this case
the locker door. Anger is not a defense mechanism. Projection is attributing one's own
