Nurse abuse

[Dairian]

How have/do you react when a patient is verbally or physically inappropriate violent or sexual? Examples: being groped, being hit/kicked, hit on continuously (not the way some joke), or being verbally degraded ect.

[Davey Do]

Once again, I welcome you to AN.com, Dairian.

It is good that you're here and posting your areas of interests and inquiries.

I would encourage you to use the search option at the bottom of each forum page in order to gain information from past threads.

For example, this topic was recently discussed and you may wish to read past discussions:

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/staff-attacked-by-1175846.html

The best to you!

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

I see no credentials, is this homework?

[BlinkyPinky]

Check out the list of " Patient Rights and Responsibilities" sometime. That ppl are given when they check in

HEAVY on the Rights; LIGHT on the " Responsibilities". Very

And I was always told ( and complied with ), WE can be abused - physically, verbally , but we can NOT retaliate. This includes non_ violent " standing up for ourselves"

Nurses have VERY FEW rights.

Exception might be , if you are lucky enough to be in a union. Becoming more and more rare now

JMO and please don't whale on me.

Btw I've been a nurse 25 years .

[K+MgSO4, BSN]

Behaviour plan if not safe for discharge

Planned care in a bundle with security vitals, meds, personal hygiene. 2 staff for any interactions other than planned with security.

An understanding between "bad" and brain injuries, withdrawal etc.

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

I remember when I was nursing a palliative patient.

We were in the process of turning the chap and to help ease his anxiety I got his wife to stand at the head of the bed.

As we turned him I felt a hand on my bottom and realised it was my patients, I'm pretty sure, he thought he had his wife's bottom and was trying to be affectionate. .

I looked at him and smiled and winked and said "Mr X, sorry to tell you but you want to go one backside to your left"

It cracked us all up.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Back to Darian - can you tell us a little more about in what context you are asking about? That will help us to direct you to resources. Thanks.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moved to nursing student assistance

[HIPAAPotamus, BSN, RN]

I worked on a few standard one-liners that I can get out, even when I'm positively livid.

"I understand that you are upset, but it is not OK to speak to me that way."

"I'm sorry you're hurting, let's see what we can do to fix it."

"I don't know the answer, but let me try to find someone who does."

If a patient is absolutely out of control, you need to leave the room. You are not a doormat. You also do not deserve to be harassed in any way.

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

First understand there is a difference between abuse by a patient and unwanted behavior that the patient can't control. I have been hit, kicked, bitten, groped, etc. but almost always by a person with such advanced dementia that they really are not in control of that behavior. In that scenario there is no point in becoming angry, the only thing to do is take evasive action if possible while trying to keep both yourself and your patient safe.

In my opinion this behavior escalates to abuse when the patient is alert, oriented and fully aware of their own words and actions. Then it's not OK and you are well within your rights to escalate your complaints up the chain of command.

Regardless of the patients mental status, don't necessarily expect immediate action unless you are in a physically dangerous situation that requires a fast intervention for your safety.