Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, Impulse Control Disorders no. 5064

Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, Impulse Control Disorders no. 5064

QUESTION: A client is admitted for detoxification after a cocaine overdose. The client tells the nurse that he frequently uses cocaine but he can control his use if he chooses. Which coping mechanism is he using?

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O a.) Withdrawal

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O b.) Logical thinking

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O c.) Repression

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O d.) Denial

RATIONALE

RATIONALE: Denial is an unconscious defense mechanism in which emotional conflict and anxiety are avoided by refusing to acknowledge feelings, desires, impulses, or external facts that are consciously intolerable. Withdrawal is a common response to stress, characterized by apathy. Logical thinking is the ability to think rationally and make responsible decisions, which would lead the client to admitting the problem and seeking help. Repression is suppressing past events from the consciousness because of guilty association.
NURSING PROCESS STEP: Assessment
CLIENT NEEDS CATEGORY: Psychosocial integrity
CLIENT NEEDS SUBCATEGORY: None
COGNITIVE LEVEL: Analysis