A client who lives with her roommate in a condominium seeks advice about episodes of strange
behavior observed by the roommate but that the client cannot remember.
The roommate has
observed her leaving the condo wearing seductive clothing, quite different from her usual wardrobe,
and returning 12 to 24 hours later, after which she sleeps for 8 to 12 hours. Episodes have also
occurred in which the client and her roommate have argued about household matters and the client
has gone to sit on the floor in the corner of the kitchen. While seated there she has spoken like a
young child. The nurse should assess that the ego defense mechanism responsible for the client's
condition is most likely
a. rationalization.
b. dissociation.
c. projection.
d. symbolization.
ANS: B
Dissociation involves the splitting off from awareness of an event or series of events, thus explaining
the client's inability to remember the episodes described by the roommate. Dissociated processes
(memories and feelings) may take on a separate existence, becoming a subpersonality.
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