A nurse is caring for a client who reports that he is angry with his partner because she thinks he is just trying to gain attention. When the nurse attempts to talk to the client, he becomes angry and tells her to leave. Which of the following defense mechanisms is the client demonstrating?

A. Denial is a defense mechanism where a person refuses to accept reality or facts. The client is not denying the situation but is demonstrating anger outwardly. B. Compensation involves overachieving in one area to make up for deficiencies in another, which is not being exhibited here. C. Displacement occurs when a person redirects their emotions from the original source of anger to a less threatening object or person. In this case, the client is displacing his anger onto the nurse rather than addressing the issue with his partner. D. Rationalization is the process of creating logical excuses for illogical behavior, but the client is not providing excuses for his behavior in this instance.