You are caring for a patient who has been recently diagnosed with a terminal disease. This patient refuses to accept the diagnosis and refuses to comply with treatment. What is the psychosocial purpose of this strategy?
A) The patient is trying to protect loved ones from the emotional effects of the illness.
B) The patient is being noncompliant.
C) The patient is afraid of treatment.
D) The patient understands that treatment will have no benefit.
Ans: A
Feedback: Patients who are characterized as being in denial may be using this strategy to preserve important interpersonal relationships, to protect others from the emotional effects of their illness, and to protect themselves because of fears of abandonment. Option B is incorrect; yes, the patient is being noncompliant, but this option does not answer the question being asked. Option C is incorrect; the patient may be afraid of treatment; however, this does not answer the question being asked. Option D is incorrect; a patient in denial would not fully understand that treatment will have no benefit.
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