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The nurse is caring for an older adult patient who has no history of violence but is agitated and appears ready to strike out at a staff member. The nurse would assess the patient for which of the following?
- A. Panic disorder
- B. Epilepsy
- C. Bipolar disorder
- D. Sensory losses
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Sensory losses, such as hearing or vision impairment, are common in older adults and can lead to agitation or perceived aggression due to frustration or miscommunication. Panic disorder, epilepsy, or bipolar disorder are less likely causes without additional symptoms or history.
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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.
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 nursing instructor is teaching a class of nursing students about anger, aggression, and violence. Which statement by the instructor would be most appropriate to include?
- A. Anger, aggression, and violence are points along a continuum.
- B. The terms used to describe anger are very precise.
- C. Anger is a knee-jerk reaction to external events.
- D. Women experience anger as frequently as men do.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Anger, aggression, and violence exist along a continuum, where anger can escalate to aggression and potentially violence if not managed. The other statements are less accurate: anger terms are not always precise, anger is not solely a knee-jerk reaction, and gender frequency is not the focus.
The nurse is working with a potentially violent patient in a community clinic. Which of the following would the nurse implement to minimize personal risk?
- A. Using protective devices
- B. Staying close to a door
- C. Keeping the door closed to ensure privacy
- D. Wearing inexpensive jewelry to distract the patient
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Staying close to a door allows the nurse to exit quickly if the situation escalates, minimizing personal risk. Protective devices may not be practical, closing the door reduces escape options, and wearing jewelry could increase risk by attracting attention.
The nurse is reviewing the medical record of a patient who is experiencing aggressive and violent behavior for possible risk factors. Which of the following would the nurse identify? Select all that apply.
- A. Damage to the frontal lobe of the brain
- B. Low testosterone levels
- C. Family history of aggression
- D. Gender
- E. High level of competitiveness
Correct Answer: A,C
Rationale: Damage to the frontal lobe can impair impulse control, increasing aggression risk. A family history of aggression suggests genetic or environmental predisposition. Low testosterone is less associated with aggression, gender alone is not a specific risk factor, and competitiveness is not a direct predictor.