Creative Weapons

MMC.RN · Mar 13, 2016

We have a gentleman in our facility who is a self-harmer, he will insert objects into his urethra or swallow items mostly. Just recently he inserted a game piece into his urethra and then a rubber fork (the pronged end). I was quite amused when he waltzed up to the nurses station and flagged me down. He was so proud of himself and said, " MMC.RN guess what I just shoved up my d**k!"

We've also had a gentleman who ripped out his own catheter, ripped it into pieces, and swallowed it. He's swallowed so many things including a TV, in pieces of course. He's also the same guy who managed to rip up a canvas sheet which was given to him because it's supposedly, "indestructible," and safe to use amongst our patients on suicide precautions.

Other potential weapons I've seen used: toothbrush or hairbrush, CD's that were smuggled in and broken, broken lights or light fixtures, sheets...I'm sure there are more but at the moment my mind is drawing a blank. Almost anything can be used as a weapon, you constantly have to keep your eyes and ears open.

PS: if it isn't obvious our patients will do almost anything to get a trip to the ER...

sarabellum1 · Mar 31, 2016

Holy ****!!

MMC.RN.... you just hit on some amazing scenarios! :yes: Thank you so much for sharing. And I do appreciate your sense of humor lol! I had a similar scenario where a patient completely lodged an 8in. hairbrush up her hoo-haa while trying to masturbate. Of course she didn't inform anyone until 3 days later...needless to say, she won a trip to the ER as well for extraction! :***:

amoLucia · Mar 31, 2016

Firehoses and nozzles from the fire extinguishers on the unit.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 1, 2016

Bits of plastic from the top of a shampoo bottle. Kid shoved it into the self-inflicted cut (the reason for her admission in the first place) in her wrist. Guess who got to dig it all out :/

Unfortunately, ANYTHING is a potential weapon to someone who is truly hell-bent on hurting themselves.

PG2018 · Apr 1, 2016

Pretty much any solid in a sock or pillow case. Or sleeve.

Plastics can be semi-melted, cooled, and made sharper and more rigid.

Toothbrush handles can be ground against the floor or wall and made into a shank or a heat treatment, as described above, can be used to augment the weapon.

Slivers of razor blades can be burrowed into a toothbrush handle and used to slash.

Toilet paper rolls can actually be weaved together into an arrow head like weapon. Same with milk cartons.

Colorful potato and corn chip bags can be weaved tightly into an array of garments and items that would've made the indians jealous.

Clearly you can do a number of things with pencils of any size. I imagine a creative guy could do the same with a crayon.

Candy canes can be a shank.

Many of the inpatient folks have been incarcerated where the above items originated. Use caution. Weapons against staff...or others or self. Of course, you're number one so look out for yourself first.

MMC.RN · Apr 4, 2016

Holy ****!!
MMC.RN.... you just hit on some amazing scenarios! Thank you so much for sharing. And I do appreciate your sense of humor lol! I had a similar scenario where a patient completely lodged an 8in. hairbrush up her hoo-haa while trying to masturbate. Of course she didn't inform anyone until 3 days later...needless to say, she won a trip to the ER as well for extraction! :***:

Thanks! I think if I didn't have a sense of humor, I would be on the other side of the nursing station. Ouch! A hairbrush for three days? I can't imagine the pain involved...