The parent of a 5y/o child tells a medical assistant that the child has begun sucking her thumb. The parent states, "She hasn't done this since she was a baby." The medical assistant should identify that the child is using which of the following defense mechanisms?
a. Sublimation
b. Regression
c. Rationalization
d. Suppression

The medical assistant should identify that the child is using the Regression defense mechanism.

Explanation: Regression refers to a method whereby an individual act out behaviour typical of an earlier developmental stage rather than handling unacceptable impulses in a more adaptive way. Regression is a strategy employed in defense mechanism which is a strategy used unconsciously by individuals to cope with harmful or stressful situations.

The medical assistant should identify that the child is using b. Regression as a defense mechanism.

Explanation:

Regression is the defense mechanism in which an individual temporarily "goes back" to a previous stage in life in which he/she felt more secure.

We can see that the child presents this defense mechanism by sucking her thumb, which she hasn't done since she was a baby (now she is 5 years old). She is unable to deal with her current stage in life in an adaptive way and thus chooses to go back to a previous stage.

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