What is an effective nursing intervention to help an angry patient manage their anger without resorting to violence?

Administer an antipsychotic or anti-anxiety medication.

Use negative reinforcement such as restraint or seclusion in response to angry outbursts, regardless of whether violence is present.

Assist the patient in identifying a thought that triggers anger, evaluate the validity of the belief, and replace it with reality-based thinking.

Use aversive conditioning, such as snapping a rubber band on the wrist, to help diminish feelings of anger.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice C rationale
Assisting the patient in identifying a thought that triggers anger, evaluating the validity of the belief, and replacing it with reality-based thinking is an effective nursing intervention to help an angry patient manage their anger without resorting to violence. This approach is based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a type of psychotherapy that can help people learn to identify and change destructive thought patterns that have a negative influence on behavior and emotions.
Choice A rationale
While medication can be part of a comprehensive treatment plan for individuals struggling with anger management, it is not the first-line intervention. Medication should be considered if the anger is part of a larger mental health disorder, such as bipolar disorder or intermittent explosive disorder, and should be administered under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
Choice B rationale
Negative reinforcement such as restraint or seclusion can escalate the situation and is not considered a best practice for managing anger. It should only be used as a last resort when the patient poses a risk to themselves or others.
Choice D rationale
Aversive conditioning, such as snapping a rubber band on the wrist, is a type of behavioral therapy that can be used to help a person reduce or eliminate unwanted behaviors. However, it is not the most effective strategy for managing anger and can potentially lead to self-harm.

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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is ["A","B"]

Explanation

The correct answer is Choice A and B.

A score of 1 to 10 on the Global Assessment Functioning (GAF) scale indicates that a client is in persistent danger of severely hurting self or others or has a persistent inability to maintain minimal personal hygiene.

A. Please be quiet and sit down in this chair immediately. B. I’d like to talk with you about how you’re feeling right now. C. You must go to your room and try to control yourself. D. What is going on?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Telling the patient to be quiet and sit down immediately may seem like a quick solution, but it is not the most therapeutic response. This approach may come across as dismissive and authoritarian, which could escalate the patient’s agitation.
Choice B rationale
This is the most appropriate initial intervention. By expressing a desire to understand the patient’s feelings, the nurse opens up a line of communication and shows empathy. This can help de-escalate the situation and make the patient feel heard and understood.
Choice C rationale
Telling the patient to go to their room and control themselves can come across as dismissive and invalidating. It does not address the patient’s feelings or concerns and may escalate the situation.
Choice D rationale
Asking “What is going on?” is a good way to encourage the patient to express their feelings, but it may not be as effective as Choice B. The phrasing in Choice B is more direct and shows more empathy and concern for the patient’s emotional state.

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What is an effective nursing intervention to help an angry patient manage their anger without resorting to violence?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A score of 1 to 10 on the Global Assessment Functioning (GAF) scale would indicate that a client was at risk for:

Correct Answer is ["A","B"]

Explanation

A patient is pacing the hall near the nurse’s station, swearing loudly. What would be an appropriate initial intervention for the nurse?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A client who recently went through an upsetting divorce is threatening to commit suicide with a handgun. The client is voluntarily admitted to the psychiatric unit. Which of the following nursing diagnoses has the highest priority?

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An adult patient assaulted another patient and was subsequently restrained. One hour later, which statement by the restrained patient requires the nurse’s immediate attention?