A nurse is caring for a client who states, "I did not take my medication because my partner forgot to remind me." The nurse should identify that the client is demonstrating which of the following defense mechanisms?

Choice A reason: Tachycardia is a physiological response to fear and anxiety. Tachycardia is a condition where the heart rate is faster than normal, usually above 100 beats per minute. Fear and anxiety can trigger the release of stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, that stimulate the sympathetic nervous system. This causes the heart to beat faster and stronger, increasing the blood flow and oxygen delivery to the muscles and organs. This prepares the body for the fight-or-flight response, which is a survival mechanism that helps the person to cope with a perceived threat or danger.

Choice B reason: Bronchial constriction is not a physiological response to fear and anxiety. Bronchial constriction is a condition where the airways in the lungs become narrow and inflamed, reducing the airflow and causing difficulty breathing. Bronchial constriction can be caused by various factors, such as asthma, allergies, infections, or irritants. Fear and anxiety can worsen the symptoms of bronchial constriction, but they are not the primary cause of it.

Choice C reason: Bradypnea is not a physiological response to fear and anxiety. Bradypnea is a condition where the breathing rate is slower than normal, usually below 12 breaths per minute. Bradypnea can be caused by various factors, such as brain injury, drug overdose, sleep apnea, or metabolic disorders. Fear and anxiety can increase the breathing rate, not decrease it, as the body needs more oxygen to cope with the stress.

Choice D reason: Pupillary constriction is not a physiological response to fear and anxiety. Pupillary constriction is a condition where the pupils in the eyes become smaller and less responsive to light. Pupillary constriction can be caused by various factors, such as eye injury, medication, aging, or neurological disorders. Fear and anxiety can cause pupillary dilation, not constriction, as the pupils widen to allow more light and improve the vision. This helps the person to see better and react faster to the situation.

Choice A reason: Encouraging the patient to wait for 24 hours before applying new knowledge is not an effective strategy to promote learning. It may cause the patient to forget or lose interest in the information. The RN should encourage the patient to apply new knowledge as soon as possible to reinforce learning and improve retention.

Choice B reason: Organizing the content from complex to simple is not an effective strategy to promote learning. It may confuse or overwhelm the patient with too much information at once. The RN should organize the content from simple to complex, starting with the most essential and relevant information and building on it gradually.

Choice C reason: Repeating the key concepts is an effective strategy to promote learning. It helps the patient to remember and recall the important information and clarify any misunderstandings. The RN should repeat the key concepts at the beginning, during, and at the end of the lesson.

Choice D reason: Asking the patient to hold questions until after the lesson is completed is not an effective strategy to promote learning. It may discourage the patient from asking questions or expressing concerns that may affect their learning. The RN should encourage the patient to ask questions at any time and provide feedback and answers.