week 2- difficult/agitated patients

Question 1

What are the key components in the overview of dealing with angry patients?

Answer 1

Communication principles, anger continuum, behaviors, risk factors, de-escalation strategies, Code White.

Question 2

Why is effective communication crucial in nursing?

Answer 2

It fosters individualized care, patient trust, advocacy, nurse satisfaction, patient satisfaction, and quality outcomes.

Question 3

What is personal space, and how is it affected by patient anger?

Answer 3

Personal space is the area around a person that feels safe; it can double to 6 feet for angry or aggressive patients

Question 3

List three effective verbal communication elements.

Answer 3

Volume, tone, and speed.

Question 4

How can anger be expressed by patients?

Answer 4

As anxiousness, verbal aggression, or physical aggression.

Question 5

What are some physical and psychosocial causes of patient anger?

Answer 5

Unrelieved pain, insomnia, grief, perceived disrespect, cultural misunderstandings.

Question 6

What are some signs of patient anger?

Answer 6

Glowering eyes, knitted brows, tense jaw, yelling, changes in behavior.

Question 7

Describe the continuum of anger from calm to physically violent.

Answer 7

Calm → Verbally agitated → Verbally hostile → Verbally threatening → Physically threatening → Physically violent.

Question 8

What are key de-escalation strategies?

Answer 8

Respect personal space, maintain a calm demeanor, listen actively, validate feelings, and avoid confrontation.

Question 9

What should you avoid saying to an angry patient?

Answer 9

“Calm down,” “I understand,” and interrupting their explanations.

Question 10

When is de-escalation NOT appropriate?

Answer 10

When there is immediate danger, if the caregiver is escalated emotionally, or if the patient cannot follow simple directions.

Question 11

What triggers a Code White?

Answer 11

Verbal/physical threats, lack of response to de-escalation, need for restraint, and urgent assistance required.

Question 12

What is the main goal when managing an angry patient?

Answer 12

To ensure safety while addressing the patient’s emotional needs with a calm, therapeutic approach.

Question 13

A nurse is caring for a patient who is becoming increasingly agitated in the waiting room. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first to de-escalate the situation?

A) Move closer to the patient to show support
B) Acknowledge the patient’s feelings and maintain a calm tone
C) Ask the patient to leave if they continue to be disruptive
D) Ignore the behavior to avoid escalating the situation further

Answer 13

B) Acknowledge the patient’s feelings and maintain a calm tone

Question 14

Which of the following is a potential psychosocial cause of anger in patients?

A) High blood pressure
B) Insomnia
C) Dehydration
D) Hyperlipidemia

Answer 14

B) Insomnia

Question 15

A nurse observes that a patient is showing signs of anger, such as glowering eyes and a tense jaw. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?

A) Confront the patient about their behavior
B) Step back and respect the patient’s personal space
C) Raise your voice to assert control over the situation
D) Provide the patient with a medication for agitation

Answer 15

B) Step back and respect the patient’s personal space

Question 16

During a code white situation, what is the primary responsibility of the nursing staff?

A) To physically restrain the patient immediately
B) To implement therapeutic communication strategies
C) To evacuate all patients from the area
D) To call security and wait for assistance

Answer 16

B) To implement therapeutic communication strategies

Question 17

Which statement by a nurse is considered inappropriate when communicating with an angry patient?

A) “I can see that you’re upset; let’s talk about it.”
B) “Calm down; there’s no reason to be angry.”
C) “I’m here to help you; what can we do to resolve this?”
D) “I understand this is frustrating for you.”

Answer 17

B) “Calm down; there’s no reason to be angry.”