A nurse is caring for a client who has a personality disorder. Which of the following statements made by the client indicates they are coping with the maladaptive defense mechanism of displacement?

Choice A reason: This statement reflects denial or confusion, not displacement. Denial involves rejecting reality, often seen in personality disorders, but displacement specifically involves redirecting emotions to a less threatening target. This statement does not indicate redirecting feelings from one source to another. Choice B reason: Displacement involves redirecting emotions from the true source to a safer target. Blaming the night shift nurse suggests the client is projecting anger or frustration, possibly intended for another source (e.g., family or self), onto the nurse, a common maladaptive mechanism in personality disorders. Choice C reason: This statement reflects magical thinking or bargaining, not displacement. It suggests a belief that compliance will resolve the issue, often seen in anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorders. Displacement involves emotional redirection, not conditional thinking about problem resolution. Choice D reason: Expressing anger directly toward the spouse indicates direct expression, not displacement. Displacement involves redirecting emotions to a substitute target, not the original source of the emotion, making this statement an example of direct aggression rather than a maladaptive defense mechanism.