Final answer:
It is false that a defibrillator should shock directly over a pacemaker device; doing so could damage the pacemaker. Correct paddle placement avoids the pacemaker and aims for a clear electrical path through the heart.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that when defibrillating a patient with an implanted mechanical pacemaker, it is important to shock over the device in order to restore its functionality is false. When using a defibrillator, care should be taken to avoid placing the defibrillation paddles directly over the pacemaker device. This is because the high-energy shock could potentially damage the pacemaker's electronics or alter its settings. Instead, the paddles should be placed in a position that provides a clear path for the electrical current through the heart, which typically means placing one paddle below the right clavicle and the other on the left side of the chest, avoiding the area where the pacemaker is implanted.