A patient who has a history of involvement with drugs and weapons come

QUESTION

A patient who has a history of involvement with drugs and weapons comes up to you in the hallway and asks you a question regarding directions in treatment. When you respond, he moves closer in to you and puts both hands up on either side of your neck.

No one else is in the hallway. Your best response at this point is to:

a. Yell at him to stop.
b. Calmly ask the patient to remove his hands.
c. Hit the patient in the midsection.
d. Use pepper spray.

ANSWER:

ANS: B
In a potentially violent situation, it is important to look and behave in a calm and confident manner, even if you do not feel calm or confident. The person that you are de-escalating will notice and take his cues from you.