A 32-year-old woman presents to the emergency department 3 days after the sudden death of her spouse in a motor vehicle accident. She tells the physician, 'This isn't real. He's just away on a business trip and will be home tomorrow.' She appears calm and shows no signs of emotional distress. Which stage of the grief process is this patient most likely experiencing?
A 28-year-old medical student with a history of poor academic performance in anatomy consistently excels in clinical skills and patient communication. When discussing his struggles with basic sciences, he frequently emphasizes his strong bedside manner and states, 'I may not be great with memorization, but I really connect with patients.' Which psychological defense mechanism is this student demonstrating?
A 45-year-old executive with insomnia undergoes polysomnography. The sleep study reveals predominant theta waves (4-8 Hz) during sleep onset and frequent awakenings throughout the night. The patient reports feeling unrested despite spending 8 hours in bed. Which characteristic is most commonly associated with individuals who experience frequent sleep disruptions like this patient?
During a well-child visit, a pediatrician observes a 7-month-old infant who can maintain an upright sitting position without support for several minutes while playing with toys. The infant occasionally leans forward but quickly recovers balance. The parents ask when this developmental milestone typically occurs. Which age range represents the normal timeframe for independent sitting?
An 18-month-old toddler is playing in the examination room when his toy car rolls under a chair and out of sight. The child immediately crawls under the chair to retrieve the toy, demonstrating understanding that the object still exists despite being hidden. Which cognitive developmental milestone does this behavior represent?
A 35-year-old teacher repeatedly accuses her colleagues of being 'jealous and manipulative' during staff meetings. Her friends notice that she herself often displays jealous behavior toward others' accomplishments and frequently manipulates situations to her advantage. Which defense mechanism is this teacher most likely employing?