Ego Defence Mechanisms
Defence mechanisms are unconscious strategies the ego uses to manage anxiety. Nurses recognise these mechanisms to understand patient behaviour.
Practice Defence Mechanisms with PassMate AI →Key Points to Know
What you must know about Defence Mechanisms
Defence mechanisms are unconscious processes that protect the ego from anxiety.
Denial: refusing to accept a painful reality.
Projection: attributing one’s own unacceptable feelings to another person.
Repression: unconsciously blocking distressing thoughts from awareness.
Displacement: transferring feelings from a threatening target to a safer one.
Rationalisation: offering logical-sounding excuses to justify behaviour.
NMCN Exam Tips
How this topic appears in the NMCN exam
Match each scenario to the correct defence mechanism — the standard question type.
Projection = blaming others for your own feelings.
Displacement = redirecting emotion onto a safer target.
Defence mechanisms are unconscious, not deliberate.
Practice Question
Test yourself
A man who is angry with his boss goes home and shouts at his children. This is an example of which defence mechanism?
Explanation
Displacement is the transfer of emotions from the original, threatening source (the boss) to a safer, less threatening target (the children). Projection would involve attributing his own feelings to someone else.
Want more practice questions on Defence Mechanisms? Practice with PassMate →
Related topics to study
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety ranges from mild to panic level. Nurses assess anxiety severity and use calming, supportive ...
Therapeutic Communication
Therapeutic communication builds trust and supports healing. Nurses use techniques such as active li...
Master Defence Mechanisms with AI
Ask PassMate unlimited questions about this topic. Real NMCN past questions, instant explanations, available 24/7.
Start Practicing Now →