Chapter 02: Assessing Yourself and Designing Success
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. After a particularly challenging examination, a student is overheard in the hallway
exclaiming, “That instructor just grades too hard! She only gave me a B on the test!” This
student is exhibiting traits of a(n)
a. external locus of control.
b. internal locus of control.
c. perfectionist.
d. realist.
ANS: A
Persons with an external locus of control often do not take responsibility for what happens to
them. Persons with an internal locus of control take responsibility for what happens to them.
A perfectionist strives for perfection in all that he or she does, which is a self-defeating
behavior. A realist accepts the world as it is and handles it accordingly.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
OBJ: Interpret the role of locus of control on personal empowerment.
TOP: Locus of Control
2. A student must come back to the learning laboratory to repeat the skills and check for
insertion of a nasogastric tube. The instructor overhears the student saying, “I know I can do
this, I know I can do this!” The instructor interprets this behavior as
a. a self-defeating behavior. N
b. positive self-talk.
c. perfectionism.
d. blaming.
ANS: B
The student is expressing positive self-talk by telling herself, “I know I can do this.” Stating “I
can’t do this” is an example of a self-defeating behavior. A student expecting to perform tasks
perfectly is striving for perfectionism. Blaming is not occurring here because the student is
taking responsibility for his/her own actions.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis OBJ: Explain the impact of positive self-talk.
TOP: Self-Talk
3. A clinical instructor notices that one of her students worries a lot, expects negative outcomes
for most situations, strives for perfection, and seems to look for the tiniest faults in her work.
The clinical instructor interprets these behaviors as
a. commitment to learning.
b. assuming an external locus of control.
c. self-directedness.
d. self-defeating behaviors.
ANS: D
, The student may be committed to learning, but she is showing signs of self-defeating
behaviors. Self-defeating behaviors include pessimism, nit-picking, worrying, perfectionism,
and blaming. Assuming an external locus of control means believing that action or inaction
lies outside of oneself. Assuming ownership of learning defines self-directedness.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis OBJ: Describe self-defeating behaviors.
TOP: Self-Defeating Behaviors and Empowerment
4. A nursing professor is grading an assignment on self-defeating behavior. The professor can
expect to find which statement written by the student who has a good understanding of
perfectionism?
a. Perfection is impossible to attain, and therefore constantly falling short of
perfection leads to negative feelings and beliefs about oneself.
b. Perfection is the ultimate goal, and it is not a self-defeating behavior to demand it
of oneself.
c. Perfectionism is the only means by which we can truly improve.
d. Perfectionism is a character flaw and cannot be addressed.
ANS: A
Perfection is impossible to obtain. Students who strive for perfection set themselves up for
negative feelings and beliefs about themselves.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis OBJ: Describe self-defeating behaviors.
TOP: Self-Defeating Behaviors
5. The nurse understands that there are four key habits for managing the work of success. Which
action by the nurse demonstrates her understanding?
a. Participating in a yoga classN
b. Analyzing case studies on her day off
c. Taking time at the beginning of the work shift to make a plan for her day
d. Setting short- and long-term goals
ANS: C
The nurse understands that there are four key habits of success when she makes a plan for her
day. Joining a yoga class, analyzing case studies, and setting short- and long-term goals are
not defined as one of the four key habits.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
OBJ: Explain four key work habits that contribute to success.
TOP: Managing the Work of Success
6. A student has a large reading assignment that must be completed in order to be prepared for
the next class. Which action by the student would be ineffective in the planning process?
a. Put off the assignment until later so more content is remembered.
b. Examine your schedule to determine time frames for study sessions.
c. Determine a study environment fitting your learning style.
d. Divide the assignment into manageable chunks, and take notes as you read.
ANS: A
The time to begin to plan how to accomplish an assignment is the moment one is made aware
of the assignment.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. After a particularly challenging examination, a student is overheard in the hallway
exclaiming, “That instructor just grades too hard! She only gave me a B on the test!” This
student is exhibiting traits of a(n)
a. external locus of control.
b. internal locus of control.
c. perfectionist.
d. realist.
ANS: A
Persons with an external locus of control often do not take responsibility for what happens to
them. Persons with an internal locus of control take responsibility for what happens to them.
A perfectionist strives for perfection in all that he or she does, which is a self-defeating
behavior. A realist accepts the world as it is and handles it accordingly.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
OBJ: Interpret the role of locus of control on personal empowerment.
TOP: Locus of Control
2. A student must come back to the learning laboratory to repeat the skills and check for
insertion of a nasogastric tube. The instructor overhears the student saying, “I know I can do
this, I know I can do this!” The instructor interprets this behavior as
a. a self-defeating behavior. N
b. positive self-talk.
c. perfectionism.
d. blaming.
ANS: B
The student is expressing positive self-talk by telling herself, “I know I can do this.” Stating “I
can’t do this” is an example of a self-defeating behavior. A student expecting to perform tasks
perfectly is striving for perfectionism. Blaming is not occurring here because the student is
taking responsibility for his/her own actions.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis OBJ: Explain the impact of positive self-talk.
TOP: Self-Talk
3. A clinical instructor notices that one of her students worries a lot, expects negative outcomes
for most situations, strives for perfection, and seems to look for the tiniest faults in her work.
The clinical instructor interprets these behaviors as
a. commitment to learning.
b. assuming an external locus of control.
c. self-directedness.
d. self-defeating behaviors.
ANS: D
, The student may be committed to learning, but she is showing signs of self-defeating
behaviors. Self-defeating behaviors include pessimism, nit-picking, worrying, perfectionism,
and blaming. Assuming an external locus of control means believing that action or inaction
lies outside of oneself. Assuming ownership of learning defines self-directedness.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis OBJ: Describe self-defeating behaviors.
TOP: Self-Defeating Behaviors and Empowerment
4. A nursing professor is grading an assignment on self-defeating behavior. The professor can
expect to find which statement written by the student who has a good understanding of
perfectionism?
a. Perfection is impossible to attain, and therefore constantly falling short of
perfection leads to negative feelings and beliefs about oneself.
b. Perfection is the ultimate goal, and it is not a self-defeating behavior to demand it
of oneself.
c. Perfectionism is the only means by which we can truly improve.
d. Perfectionism is a character flaw and cannot be addressed.
ANS: A
Perfection is impossible to obtain. Students who strive for perfection set themselves up for
negative feelings and beliefs about themselves.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis OBJ: Describe self-defeating behaviors.
TOP: Self-Defeating Behaviors
5. The nurse understands that there are four key habits for managing the work of success. Which
action by the nurse demonstrates her understanding?
a. Participating in a yoga classN
b. Analyzing case studies on her day off
c. Taking time at the beginning of the work shift to make a plan for her day
d. Setting short- and long-term goals
ANS: C
The nurse understands that there are four key habits of success when she makes a plan for her
day. Joining a yoga class, analyzing case studies, and setting short- and long-term goals are
not defined as one of the four key habits.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
OBJ: Explain four key work habits that contribute to success.
TOP: Managing the Work of Success
6. A student has a large reading assignment that must be completed in order to be prepared for
the next class. Which action by the student would be ineffective in the planning process?
a. Put off the assignment until later so more content is remembered.
b. Examine your schedule to determine time frames for study sessions.
c. Determine a study environment fitting your learning style.
d. Divide the assignment into manageable chunks, and take notes as you read.
ANS: A
The time to begin to plan how to accomplish an assignment is the moment one is made aware
of the assignment.
