Marie has just learned that she has failed her mental health nursing class. She tells her friends, "I knew that instructor was going to fail me. She has never liked me and has just been looking for an excuse to fail me all along." Marie's behavior is an example of which defense mechanism?
Regression
Repression
Rationalization
Reaction formation
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Regression involves reverting to an earlier stage of development when faced with stress, which is not what Marie is doing.
Choice B reason: Repression involves unconsciously blocking out painful thoughts or feelings, which is different from Marie's conscious rationalization of her failure.
Choice C reason: Rationalization is a defense mechanism where an individual justifies an unacceptable behavior or feeling with a logical reason, avoiding the true explanation for the behavior. Marie is rationalizing her failure by blaming the instructor rather than accepting her own role in the outcome.
Choice D reason: Reaction formation involves behaving in a way that is opposite to what one truly feels, which is not applicable in Marie's case.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Notifying the registered nurse is important but should come after initially assessing the patient's immediate needs.
Choice B reason: Raising the head of the bed may help with breathing but does not address the cause of the patient's distress.
Choice C reason: Sitting with her and listening to her concerns is supportive but should follow an initial assessment of why she is sobbing and gasping for breath.
Choice D reason: Asking the patient what is wrong is the first step in assessing the situation and providing appropriate care.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Cool, dry skin is not typically associated with a panic attack, which often involves symptoms like sweating due to the fight-or-flight response.
Choice B reason: Chest pain is a common symptom of panic attacks, often leading individuals to believe they are having a heart attack.

Choice C reason: Pallor, or paleness, may occur during a panic attack, but it is not as common as other symptoms like chest pain.
Choice D reason: Bradycardia, or slow heart rate, is not characteristic of a panic attack; tachycardia, or fast heart rate, is more common.
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