The client is a child age 5 years hospitalized for a surgical procedure. The client is bedwetting. The parents report this is a new behavior and their child is toilet trained. The nurse assesses the client is exhibiting the defense mechanism of ...

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The child's bedwetting behavior is a regression, which is a defense mechanism where the individual reverts to an earlier stage of development in response to stress or anxiety. In this case, the stress and anxiety could be related to the hospitalization and surgical procedure. Compensation involves making up for a perceived weakness in one area by excelling in another area. Displacement involves redirecting emotions towards a person or object that is less threatening than the actual source of the emotions. Reaction formation involves expressing the opposite of how one truly feels as a way of coping with those feelings.

The Client Is a Child Age 5 Years Hospitalized for a Surgical