A college athlete sustained a complete transection of the spinal cord while practicing on a trampoline. The health care provider explained that return of function to the lower extremities is not likely. Two weeks later, the client verbalizes the need to practice for an upcoming tournament. Which conclusion would the nurse make about the client’s statement?

Exhibiting denial

Explanation:

Transection of the spinal cord can be explained as a tear within the spinal cord as a result of a significant traumatic injury. And in this situation, that is ,  in a complete spinal injury, all functions below the injured area are lost, it does not matter whether or not the spinal cord is severed.

" Denial " is a term that is used in psychology , and it means a defense mechanism where confrontation with a problem is avoided simply by denying the existence of the problem.

Therefore, in this case, the college athlete trying to deny the existence of the problem or injury to the spinal cord, which might likely prevent him/her from being an active athlete again.