Exam 24: Anger, Aggression, and Violence

A patient is hospitalized after an arrest for breaking windows in the home of a former intimate partner. The history reveals childhood abuse by a punitive parent, torturing family pets, and an arrest for disorderly conduct. Which nursing diagnosis has priority?

A cognitively impaired patient has been a widow for 30 years. This patient is frantically trying to leave the unit, saying, "I have to go home to cook dinner before my husband arrives from work." To intervene with validation therapy, the nurse should first say:

An adult patient assaulted another patient and was restrained. One hour later, which statement by this restrained patient necessitates the nurse's immediate attention?

The staff development coordinator plans to teach use of physical management techniques when patients become assaultive. Which topic should be emphasized?

Which is an effective nursing intervention to assist an angry patient to learn to manage anger without violence?

A new patient immediately requires seclusion on admission. The assessment is incomplete, and the health care provider has not examined the patient. Immediately after safely secluding the patient, which action has priority?

A nurse directs the intervention team who must take an aggressive patient to seclusion. Other patients were removed from the area. Before approaching the patient, the nurse should ensure that which actions are taken by staff? (Select all that apply.)

Which scenario predicts the highest risk for directing violent behavior toward others?

A patient with a history of command hallucinations approaches the nurse, yelling obscenities. The patient mumbles and then walks away. The nurse follows. Which nursing actions are most likely to be effective in de-escalating this scenario? (Select all that apply.)

A confused older adult patient in a skilled care facility is sleeping. A health care worker enters the room quietly and touches the bed to see if it is wet. The patient awakens and hits the health care worker in the face. Which statement best explains the patient's action?