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Defense Mechanisms — NCLEX Cheat Sheet

Unconscious anxiety protection

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👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team 🕐 Updated 2026-07-11 🏷️ Psychosocial Integrity 🔖 Free to read, print, and share

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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Defense Mechanisms on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!

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Common

Key facts

Denial: refuses reality
Projection: blames others
Displacement: redirect to safe

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More

Key facts

Regression: childlike behavior
Rationalization: excuses/logic
Sublimation: urge → acceptable

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More2

Key facts

Repression: blocks unconsciously
Reaction formation: opposite act

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Nursing actions

Sublimation = most mature/healthy
Excess use = maladaptive

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Quick Tip

Denial is refusing to accept reality (a new diabetic insisting nothing is wrong).

📖 Related Topics

Therapeutic Communication Techniques Crisis Intervention Grief and Loss Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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