What should be the first step for a nurse when communicating with an angry patient?

Actively listen.

Offer positive comments.

Identify emotions.

Explore options.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A rationale
Active listening is the first step when communicating with an angry patient. It involves giving the patient full attention, understanding their concerns, and showing empathy. This can help to de-escalate the situation and make the patient feel heard and understood.
Choice B rationale
Offering positive comments can be helpful, but it’s not the first step in communicating with an angry patient. It’s important to first understand the patient’s concerns and feelings through active listening before offering any comments.
Choice C rationale
Identifying emotions is an important part of communicating with an angry patient, but it comes after active listening. Once the patient’s concerns and feelings have been understood through active listening, the nurse can then identify and acknowledge the patient’s emotions.
Choice D rationale
Exploring options is a later step in communicating with an angry patient. After active listening and identifying emotions, the nurse can work with the patient to explore options and find solutions.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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.

A. Foster a social relationship. B. Focus on the attitude of the client. C. Focus on the client and build a rapport. D. Focus on the staff member and build rapport.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale
While fostering a social relationship can be a part of therapeutic communication, it is not the primary goal. Therapeutic communication in nursing is patient-centered and should involve a holistic approach, including aspects of psychological, physiological, spiritual, and environmental care of the patient.
Choice B rationale
Focusing on the attitude of the client is not the main goal of therapeutic communication. While understanding the client’s attitude can provide valuable insights into their feelings and perspectives, the primary goal is to build a rapport and focus on the client.
Choice C rationale
Focusing on the client and building a rapport is the main goal of therapeutic communication in nursing. It helps nurses build trust with patients while also helping establish collaborative efforts to promote efficient and effective patient care, improving patient outcomes.
Choice D rationale
Focusing on the staff member and building rapport is not the primary goal of therapeutic communication. The focus should be on the client, their needs, and their experiences.

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What should be the first step for a nurse when communicating with an angry patient?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

What are the goals of therapeutic communication?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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