Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing Related

Review Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing related questions and content

A novice nurse notices a patient is pacing the floor and twisting his hands. When the nurse enters the room, the patient stares at her and mumbles, "Can't anyone understand what I want?" while smiling and reaching out to shake the nurse's hand. The nurse recognizes a risk for violence based on which clinical findings? (select all that apply)

  • A. Glaring at the nurse
  • B. Nervousness, twisting of hands
  • C. Murmuring when talking
  • D. Diagnosis of a terminal illness
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because glaring at the nurse indicates potential aggression and hostility, which are red flags for violence risk. Glaring can be a non-verbal sign of anger or frustration, signaling a potential escalation. In contrast, nervousness and twisting of hands (choice B) may indicate anxiety or distress but not necessarily violence. Murmuring when talking (choice C) may suggest communication difficulties but does not directly indicate violence risk. Lastly, a diagnosis of a terminal illness (choice D) is not directly related to the immediate risk of violence in this scenario.