Assualtive Behavior Flashcards
What is assault?
A physical or verbal attack
How does the body respond to anger?
By putting it into flight or fight mode (physical response)
- can be helpful or can be expressed inappropriately
- can lead to aggression or hostility
What is hostility? What type of aggression?
Verbal aggression
- intention is to intimidate or cause emotional harm
- triggers can be identified
What are the risk factors for assualtive behaviors ?
History of violent behavior - MAIN PREDICTOR FOR FUTURE AGGRESSION
Alcohol or drug abuse
Cognitive impairment
Experiencing pain
Anger about current situation
Hallucinations
What kinds of treatment can help with assualtive behavior?
Medications
- Lithium
- Valprote and Carbamazepine
- Haldol
As a last resort seclusion or restraints may be used
If antipsychotics are used, what side effect to watch for ? Antidote if caught early?
Extrapyramidall side effects
- can be reversed with Cogentin if caught early
What are the five phases of the aggression cycle?
Triggering – what initiates the response
Escalation – response moving towards a loss of control
Crisis – Loss of control by the client
Recovery – Client regains physical and emotional control
Post crisis – Attempts reconciliation, returns to prior level of functioning
How to prevent anger from escalating ? How to handle a patient once they get triggered?
- Activities to minimize boredom
- Allow for interaction and expression
- Providing a schedule and structure can reduce anxiety
- Physical activity
- once they are triggered bring pt to a quiet area, decrease stimulation and adjust the temperature
Nursing interventions for the triggering phase?
Use a calm, non threatening approach
Relaxed body language
Encourage verbal expression of feelings and emotions
Show empathy
Offer medications
Assist with relaxation techniques
Physical activity
- walking
Nursing Interventions for the Escalation Phase?
Nurse needs to take control of the situation
- be calm but firm
- Direct client to calm down
- inform behavior is unacceptable
- offer medication again
- obtain assistance if unchanged behavior, but allow for space
Nursing Interventions for the Crisis Phase?
Client has now become physically aggressive
- staff takes control for safety reasons
- may require restraint or seclusion
- may require medication
Nursing Interventions for Recovery Phase?
Patient starts to regain control
Assist client with relaxation and or sleep
- discuss how the situation could have been handled differently with the client
- staff debriefing
- encourage client to discuss feelings
Nursing Interventions for Post Crisis Phase?
Restraint and seclusion discontinued
Discuss behavior in a calm manner and do not lecture
Allow patient to regain control and reintegrate into activities
