CHAPTER 07 COPING AND DEFENSE MECHANISMS PRACTICE
QUESTIONS – NEEB’S MENTAL HEALTH NURSING FIFTH EDITION
CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY | 2026/2027 | 50 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS | EXAM PREPARATION MATERIAL
7. Karen Ann, a patient on the mental health unit, is in the bathroom with the door locked. She was
admitted to the unit as a result of her psychotic behavior. The mental health nurse is asking her to
come out and take her medication. The patient responds by stating, There is nothing wrong with my
behavior. I dont need any medication. I dont know why everyone is so upset. Her response indicates
that the defense mechanism being used is:
A. Denial.
B. Obsession.
C. Displacement.
D. Projection - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: A
Denial is unconscious refusal to see reality.
8. Unconscious refusal to see reality describes this type of defense mechanism:
A. Denial.
B. Repression.
C. Compensation.
D. Isolation. - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: A
Denial is the attempt to remove an experience or a feeling from consciousness
9. Use of a logical-sounding excuse to cover up true thoughts and feelings describes this defense
mechanism:
A. Denial.
B. Rationalization.
C. Compensation.
D. Isolation. - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: B
Rationalization is the most frequently used defense. It is substituting acceptable reasons for real
, reasons for personal behaviortruth is too threatening
10. Emotion that is separated from the original feeling describes this defense mechanism:
A. Denial.
B. Repression.
C. Compensation.
D. Isolation. - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: D
Isolation is the blocking of feelings that are associated with an unpleasant or threatening situation
11. Anthony is a 40-year-old patient who lost his job recently and wishes that he was back home living
with his parents. Anthony has been noted to do things he used to do when he was a child. Anthony is
going through a period of regression. Regression is best defined as:
A. A retreat to a less stressful time in ones life.
B. An immature response technique.
C. An assertive response.
D. A therapeutic mechanism - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: A
During a stressful event, people may revert back to a time that was less stressful
21. Using a logical-sounding excuse is known as ________________. - CORRECT ANSWERS-
ANS: rationalization
It is the most frequently used defense mechanism. It is often seen when a logical-sounding excuse is
used to cover up true thoughts and feelings
22. The physically unattractive person who wants to model and instead becomes a famous designer is
demonstrating ________________ - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: compensation
Making up for something perceived as an inadequacy by developing some other desirable trait.
23. A wellness instructor who lectures on love and happiness but who is actually an abusive husband is
using the defense mechanisms of ________________ - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: sublimation
QUESTIONS – NEEB’S MENTAL HEALTH NURSING FIFTH EDITION
CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY | 2026/2027 | 50 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS | EXAM PREPARATION MATERIAL
7. Karen Ann, a patient on the mental health unit, is in the bathroom with the door locked. She was
admitted to the unit as a result of her psychotic behavior. The mental health nurse is asking her to
come out and take her medication. The patient responds by stating, There is nothing wrong with my
behavior. I dont need any medication. I dont know why everyone is so upset. Her response indicates
that the defense mechanism being used is:
A. Denial.
B. Obsession.
C. Displacement.
D. Projection - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: A
Denial is unconscious refusal to see reality.
8. Unconscious refusal to see reality describes this type of defense mechanism:
A. Denial.
B. Repression.
C. Compensation.
D. Isolation. - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: A
Denial is the attempt to remove an experience or a feeling from consciousness
9. Use of a logical-sounding excuse to cover up true thoughts and feelings describes this defense
mechanism:
A. Denial.
B. Rationalization.
C. Compensation.
D. Isolation. - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: B
Rationalization is the most frequently used defense. It is substituting acceptable reasons for real
, reasons for personal behaviortruth is too threatening
10. Emotion that is separated from the original feeling describes this defense mechanism:
A. Denial.
B. Repression.
C. Compensation.
D. Isolation. - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: D
Isolation is the blocking of feelings that are associated with an unpleasant or threatening situation
11. Anthony is a 40-year-old patient who lost his job recently and wishes that he was back home living
with his parents. Anthony has been noted to do things he used to do when he was a child. Anthony is
going through a period of regression. Regression is best defined as:
A. A retreat to a less stressful time in ones life.
B. An immature response technique.
C. An assertive response.
D. A therapeutic mechanism - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: A
During a stressful event, people may revert back to a time that was less stressful
21. Using a logical-sounding excuse is known as ________________. - CORRECT ANSWERS-
ANS: rationalization
It is the most frequently used defense mechanism. It is often seen when a logical-sounding excuse is
used to cover up true thoughts and feelings
22. The physically unattractive person who wants to model and instead becomes a famous designer is
demonstrating ________________ - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: compensation
Making up for something perceived as an inadequacy by developing some other desirable trait.
23. A wellness instructor who lectures on love and happiness but who is actually an abusive husband is
using the defense mechanisms of ________________ - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: sublimation
