Patient's threatening violence

allnurses Guide · Dec 19, 2016

Well since I work in Psych I get threatened all the time by aggressive patients - I usually respond with

don't make it necessary to put hands on you.

Hppy

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Dec 20, 2016

Change the word "patient" to "domestic partner." Is a woman who says "don't put your hands on me" escalating the situation? Is she then partially culpable when he hits her -- after all, she escalated the situation.

Of course not.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Dec 25, 2016

Call security. Just because they are a patient doesn't mean it's ok for them to put their hands on you.

PACUpleeze · Dec 25, 2016

I can't believe it's gotten to where this is even a question. It's sad you have to wonder if it's OK to demand not to be hurt.

josephadn · Dec 26, 2016

Excuse you, I don't need your comment. Are you really a nurse? Where's your compassion?

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Dec 27, 2016

I can't believe it's gotten to where this is even a question. It's sad you have to wonder if it's OK to demand not to be hurt.

There is nothing wrong with this comment. We can't deliver care if we are in a threatening environment (unless in war, civil unrest, zombie apocalypse, floods, fires, oh never mind...). I mean we shouldn't need to be in a position to defend ourselves on a routine basis.

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Dec 27, 2016

To answer your question, you are doing neither. "Do not put your hands on me" is like the sign that says "please do not smoke". You should say "if you put your hands on me you will be restrained and I will press charges". This should be stated calmly and clearly from a position of strength. People will weigh the consequences of their actions in real time. There should be no negotiation, just a statement of what will actually, legally, and practically happen. If you do this, as I said, in a calm but firm tone and body language this is not escalation. If you allow the situation to escalate you, then you should remove yourself. Good luck.