A nurse is presenting an in-service program about aggression and violence to a group of newly hired nurses who will be working in an inpatient psychiatric facility. When describing characteristics that may predict the risk for violence and aggression in patients, which of the following would the nurse include? Select all that apply.
- A. Age
- B. Impulsivity
- C. Substance withdrawal
- D. Gender
- E. Suspiciousness
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D,E
Rationale: Age, impulsivity, substance withdrawal, gender, and suspiciousness are all predictors of violence risk. Younger age, male gender, impulsivity, withdrawal symptoms, and paranoia or suspiciousness increase the likelihood of aggressive behavior in psychiatric settings.
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The plan of a care for a patient with anger includes behavioral interventions. Which of the following would the nurse be likely to find?
- A. Self-monitoring of cues
- B. Anger management
- C. Relaxation training
- D. Response disruption
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Self-monitoring of cues is a common behavioral intervention to help patients recognize triggers and manage anger before it escalates. While anger management and relaxation training are also relevant, self-monitoring is a specific, proactive strategy likely included in the care plan.
The nurse is caring for a family whose older father with dementia is living in their home. The nurse has instructed the family about how to decrease the father?s agitation. The nurse determines that the son has understood the nurse?s instructions when he states which of the following?
- A. Restraints can help reduce my father?s agitation.
- B. I should place my father in the bedroom with me so I can watch him more closely.
- C. It?s important that he gets out shopping with me or my wife.
- D. If I simplify our home environment, my father may be less agitated.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Simplifying the home environment reduces sensory overload, which can decrease agitation in patients with dementia. Restraints can increase agitation, close monitoring in a bedroom may not address triggers, and shopping outings may overstimulate the patient.
A son brings his father to the clinic and tells the nurse that his father has begun to act strangely in the past few days and has unprovoked outbursts of anger. After the incidents, the father expresses remorse for his outburst. The son says, I?ve never seen him act this way. Which question would be most appropriate for the nurse to ask next?
- A. Does your father have a history of an anxiety disorder such as panic disorder?
- B. Has your father exhibited previous problems expressing anger appropriately?
- C. Has your father suffered any traumatic injury to his brain recently?
- D. Has your father injured the back of his head or neck in the past week?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Asking about recent traumatic brain injury is most appropriate, as sudden behavioral changes, such as unprovoked anger outbursts in an older adult with no prior history, may indicate a neurological issue, such as a brain injury. The other options are less likely to explain the sudden onset of symptoms.
A unit in an inpatient psychiatric facility is experiencing an increase in violence episodes by patients. A group of nurses working on this unit is developing a plan to address this issue. When developing this plan which of the following would the nurses most likely address as the problem areas? Select all that apply.
- A. Inconsistent unit activities
- B. Medication power struggles
- C. Empathetic staff response
- D. Clear set boundaries
- E. Little patient participation in treatment plan
Correct Answer: A,B,E
Rationale: Inconsistent unit activities, medication power struggles, and little patient participation in treatment plans can contribute to increased violence by creating uncertainty, conflict, or disengagement. Empathetic staff responses and clear boundaries are protective factors, not problem areas.
The nurse is caring for an older patient in a residential care facility. The patient has been extremely irritable the entire day. When modifying the patient?s plan of care, which of the following would be an appropriate snack to offer the patient to decrease the irritability?
- A. Chocolate candy bar
- B. Handful of raisins
- C. Granola bar
- D. Glass of milk
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A glass of milk is an appropriate snack for an older patient experiencing irritability. Milk contains tryptophan, which can promote calmness by aiding serotonin production. Chocolate candy bars and granola bars may contain high sugar, potentially worsening irritability, while raisins, though healthy, lack the calming nutrients found in milk.
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