Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 84%
Simulated
A charge nurse is educating a newly licensed nurse about various defense mechanisms. Which of the following examples should the charge nurse provide when discussing rationalization?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
Rationalization involves providing logical-sounding reasons to justify behaviors or feelings that are actually based on unacceptable motives or desires. In choice C, the client is attributing not getting a promotion to her boss disliking her, which is a rationalization to protect her self-esteem. This defense mechanism allows her to avoid facing the possibility of not being qualified for the promotion. Choices A, B, and D are examples of other defense mechanisms: displacement (A), repression (B), and somatization (D), respectively.