ATI LPN
Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice 6th Edition
Chapter 19 : Management of Anger, Aggression, and Violence Questions
Question 1 of 5
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?
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.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is assessing a group of patients on an inpatient psychiatric unit. The patient?s history for which of the following would the nurse identify as the strongest indicator of risk for violence?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A history of violent behavior is the strongest indicator of future violence risk, as past behavior is a reliable predictor of future actions in psychiatric assessments. Panic disorder, problematic anxiety, and somatoform disorder may contribute to emotional distress but are not as directly correlated with violent behavior.
Question 3 of 5
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?
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.
Question 4 of 5
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?
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.
Question 5 of 5
A patient has been admitted to the detoxification unit after binge drinking. Even though the patient is not currently intoxicated, he is combative and exhibits altered thought processes. Which nursing diagnosis would be the priority?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The priority nursing diagnosis is 'Risk for Other-Directed Violence related to alcohol withdrawal,' as the patient?s combative behavior and altered thought processes pose an immediate risk to others. Safety is the primary concern in this scenario, outweighing risks for injury, self-mutilation, or developmental delays.