Author Question: The nurse educator is teaching an in-service on the recognition of patient aggression within the ... (Read 55 times)

cmoore54 · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

The nurse educator is teaching an in-service on the recognition of patient aggression within the hospital. One of the nurse participants is asked to classify her patient's behavior to determine if the patient is at risk for aggression.

Which patient does the nurse classify as displaying manifestations that may lead to aggression? Select all that apply.
1. 47-year-old female who appears fearful and angry
2. 20-year-old male who is experiencing acute anxiety
3. 25-year-old female who is experiencing sadness regarding a death in the family
4. 75-year-old male who is expressing frustration due to a delay in hospital discharge
5. 36-year-old male who has expressed apprehension regarding his upcoming medical procedure

Question 2

A patient tells the nurse, I have been waiting two hours to be discharged. What is the problem? The patient is pacing the room and glaring at staff members. What is the nurse's best action to prevent patient aggression?

1. Call hospital security to be prepared if the patient becomes aggressive.
2. Ask the patient to remain seated and retrieve the patient's discharge paperwork.
3. Acknowledge the patient's feelings and leave the room in order to avoid confrontation.
4. Acknowledge the patient's feelings and determine the status of the patient's discharge paperwork.

gabrielle_lawrence · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: 1, 2, 4
Explanation: Fear, anger, anxiety, and frustration are all factors that can lead to aggressive behavior. Sadness and apprehension are not factors that are associated with aggressive behavior.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: 4
Explanation: In most cases, aggressive behavior is a response to an unmet need, often combined with underlying anxiety and poor coping mechanisms. The patient is displaying cues to aggressive behavior by pacing the room and glaring at staff members. The nurse's best action is to acknowledge the patient's feelings and determine the status of the patient's discharge paperwork. This action will validate the patient's feelings and attempt to address the patient's unmet needs. Calling hospital security does not address the patient's needs, nor does asking the patient to remain seated without validating the patient's concerns. Acknowledging the patient's feelings is the correct intervention; however, the nurse should intervene early, not leave the patient alone in the room.