Chapter 11: Anger, Hostility, and Aggression

A client is attending anger management class and wants to know how the class will help. What is the nurse's best response?

"It will help you to learn how to control the arousal of anger."

A client's roommate yells at the client and the client acts as if nothing has occurred and ignores the roommate. The nurse identifies that the client may have which style of anger expression related to this incident?

Anger suppression

Neurobiologic factors are increasingly being explored as an explanation for aggressive behavior. Which is true?

Brain neuroimaging studies show that aggressive behavior is linked to damage of brain structures located in the limbic, frontal, and temporal lobes

Which term is used to describe an activity used to release anger?

Catharsis

In which phase of the aggression cycle can techniques of seclusion or restraint be used to deal with the aggression quickly?

Crisis

An adult child brings their parent to the clinic and tells the nurse that their parent has begun to act strangely in the past few days, with unprovoked outburst of anger. After the incidents, the parent expresses remorse for their outburst. The adult child says, "I've never seen my parent act this way." Which question is most appropriate for the nurse to ask next?

Has your parent suffered any traumatic injury to their brain recently?

A nurse must assess for characteristics that are predictive of violent behavior. Research suggests violent behavior is influenced by possession of which attribute?

Low self-esteem

A client with a history of angry outbursts that have caused interpersonal and work problems has been in counseling for several months. The nurse judges the plan of care to be effective when which outcome is met?

The client uses adaptive coping to manager anger impulses

A client with a history or violence becomes aggressive and threatens to harm the nurse. Which client statement indicates to the nurse that the unit culture contributed to the client's behavior?

There isn't anything to do here and I'm bored to death.

The nurses on a mental health unit are reviewing aspects of the unit environment in a staff meeting. Which factor would be predictive of a client becoming aggressive or violent?

strict hierarchy of authority

The nurse is assessing a client of an eastern culture who is admitted due to the need for anger management. What question should the nurse ask to determine the effect of culture on the client's expression of anger?

What did you learn about anger when growing up?

The nurse working in a psychology clinic finds that suppression of anger is more common in women than in men. What is the possible explanation for such a finding?

Women are expected not to express so called negative feelings like anger.

The nurse is caring for a group of clients on the behavioral health unit. Which client will the nurse prepare to intervene with seclusion and restraint?

a client for whom all other measure of safety have failed

Which describes a strong emotional response to a real or perceived provocation?

anger

The nurse is teaching a group of clients in juvenile detention about anger management and the positive effects of anger, if handled appropriately. What advantages, as explained by the nurse, may be helpful to the clients?

anger helps to focus attention, in decision making, resolving conflicts,

The nurse finds that a client with a history of aggressive behavior is restless, is pacing up and down in the hallway, and has clenched fists. The client also talks in a loud voice. Which intervention would be most appropriate at this point?

approach the client to engage in communication while remaining 6ft or more away

A client throwing chairs at other clients in the recreation room is placed in restraints. Which action would the nurse take to adhere to regulatory requirements?

ask the health care provider to examine the client within 1 hour

The nurse is caring for a client with bipolar 1 disorder that is in the manic phase. Which sign of escalating behavior requires immediate intervention?

banging their head against the wall

A nurse's response to aggressive behavior on the unit is influenced by which characteristic of the nurse?

self awareness of reactions to aggression by others

A client visits the clinic and tells the nurse that no matter how difficult the client's child acts, the client simply cannot express any anger. The nurse should plan to assess the client for symptoms of which mental health condition?

depression

The nurse is orienting a new staff member in an inpatient mental health unit when a client begins to act in a violent manner. The nurse should explain to the new staff member that some clients use violence and aggression to....

have their needs met.

Which personality trait is associated with aggressive behavior?

impulsivity

A client with a history of violence and aggression is attending therapy sessions where the general aggression model is used as a framework. Which situational factor(s) would the nurse help the client identify as provocation for episodes of aggression?

insults, slights, verbal aggression

Which drug has been effective in treating aggressive clients diagnosed with bipolar disorders?

lithium

The nurse is caring for a client with dementia who has become increasingly agitated. Which is the best action for the nurse to perform?

provide a snack and fluids frequently

The nurse is utilizing the general aggression model to determine what may have contributed to one client's violence toward a roommate. Which would be considered a situational factor?

the client being called lazy by the roommate

The nurse manager is concerned about the potential for violence on a mental health care area. Which action(s) would the manager take to eliminate the environmental risk for violence and potential injuries?

use plastic coat hangers, keep the utility room locked, monitor while client is using razors or other sharps, provide meals on paper dishes and plastic utensils

The nurse states "I know this must be frightening for you" to a client who is angry and has potential for violence. Which communication technique is the nurse utilizing with this statement?

validation