A nurse is caring for a client who has AIDS.
Which of the following solutions should the nurse use to disinfect the client's overbed table following a blood spill?

Choice A rationale:

Identification is a defense mechanism where an individual associates themselves with another person or group. It does not apply to the situation described in the question.

Choice B rationale:

Reaction formation involves expressing the opposite of one's true feelings or desires. It is not the most suitable defense mechanism for the situation where the adolescent blames the teacher for their failure.

Choice C rationale:

Regression refers to reverting to an earlier stage of development in response to stress or conflict. It does not align with the adolescent's statement about their teacher disliking athletes.

Choice D rationale:

Rationalization is the defense mechanism in which a person provides logical or socially acceptable reasons for their behavior, even if these reasons are not accurate. In this case, the adolescent is rationalizing their poor performance by blaming the teacher's bias against athletes. This choice best fits the situation described.

Answer is B: Write the information at an 8th-grade reading level.

This is the best action for the nurse to take because it ensures that the information is accessible and understandable to a wide audience, which is suitable for the general population¹². The other options are not as effective for the following reasons:

- Use a 12-point font size: This is important for readability, but not enough for comprehension. The font size should also match the layout and design of the brochure.
- Explain medical terminology using basic, one-syllable words: This is a good approach, but it does not address the reading level of the content. The nurse should also use simple sentences and avoid jargon.
- Present information from complex to simple: This might be helpful, but it is not the most effective way to educate the public. The nurse should start with the simpler concepts and gradually build on them to explain the more complex aspects of hypertension.