A patient's initial reaction to being told she has an STI is to insist that the nurse made a mistake with the test. The defense mechanism that BEST explains this behavior is:
A) regression.
B) sublimation.
C) denial.
D) rationalization.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's insistence that the nurse made a mistake with the test is an example of denial, which is a defense mechanism used to avoid or disavow an uncomfortable reality or truth. By denying the diagnosis, the patient can temporarily avoid facing the reality of the situation and the potential consequences of the STI.

A Patient's Initial Reaction to Being Told She Has an STI