Question

a client on the psychiatric unit appears to imitate a certain nurse on the unit. the client seeks out this particular nurse and imitates the nurses mannerisms. which defense mechanism is the client using?

sublimation.
identification.
introjection.
repression.

Explanation:

Analyze the client's behavior

The client is actively seeking out a specific nurse and consciously or unconsciously imitating that nurse's mannerisms and behaviors.

Define the relevant defense mechanisms

• Sublimation: Channeling unacceptable drives or impulses into socially acceptable activities.
• Identification: An attempt to manage anxiety by imitating the behavior, mannerisms, or style of an individual whom the person fears, respects, or admires.
• Introjection: Integrating the beliefs, values, or qualities of another person into one's own ego structure, often occurring at a deeper, less conscious level than imitation.
• Repression: Involuntarily blocking unpleasant feelings, ideas, or memories from conscious awareness.

Determine the correct mechanism

Imitating the specific mannerisms and seeking out a particular admired figure (the nurse) directly aligns with the definition of Identification.

Answer:

• Sublimation.
• Identification. (Correct answer)
• Introjection.
• Repression.