Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 89%
Simulated
During a one-to-one session with the nurse, a female client admitted for chronic depression and attempted suicide discloses experiences of sexual promiscuity and prostitution. When the nurse asks the client if she was ever sexually abused as a child, the client says, ├óÔé¼┼ôI don't remember, but my mother ran my father off when I was five.├óÔé¼┬Ø The nurse should recognize that the client may be using which defense mechanism?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
Repression involves unconsciously blocking out memories, and the client's inability to recall potential abuse suggests this defense mechanism.