ASSAULTIVE BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT

COMPILED BY JOHN-NWANKWO, JANE C. RN, MSN

MEANING OF ASSAULTIVE BEHAVIOR

Assaultive behavior is a violent behavior against another individual. It could result from both external and Internal factors.

RISK FACTORS TO ASSAULTIVE BEHAVIOR

Prejudices Frustrations Hostility Being unmarried Delusion Initial arrest

HEALTH CONDITIONS LINKED WITH ASSAULTIVE BEHAVIOR

Acute intoxication Acute paranoid psychosis Antisocial personality disorder Personality disorder

TYPES OF ASSAULTIVE BEHAVIOR

Weapon-type assaultive behavior Non weapon-type assaultive behavior

PHYSICAL ASSAULT

Physical assault takes place when someone or a group of people attacks a person or persons using weapon or no weapon

SYMPTOMS OF PHYSICAL ATTACK

Threat to hurt Outright attack such as punching, beating etc Throwing objects Clenching of jaws

CAUSES OF ASSAULTIVE BEHAVIOR

Frustration Paranoia Anger Revenge Monetary gain such as robbery Reaction to medication Substance abuse

MEANING OF ASSAULT CYCLE

The Assault cycle is used to describe the stages or phases of assaultive behavior. It shows you what to expect at different stages of assault.

FIVE STAGES OF ASSAULT CYCLE

Triggering phase Escalation phase Crisis phase Recovery phase Post-crisis depression phase

AGGRESSION AND VIOLENCE PREDICTICTING FACTORS

It is really easy to predict aggressive and violent tendencies in individuals. However, thorough research and studies have identified certain factors and traits in those who are prone to aggression and violence.

INTERNAL FACTORS LINKED WITH AGGRESSION AND VIOLENCE

Boredom Fear Grief Humiliation Sense of powerlessness

PRIOR VIOLENCE

Whenever someone commits a violent act, it is more likely that such person would exhibit such violent behavior again. Hence, it becomes crucial that we identify people with certain aggressive traits prior to their violent act.

PHYSICAL FACTORS

Lack of sleep Use of alcohol Heat Hunger Trauma Risk of violence itself

PERSONAL SAFETY MEASURES

Walk away from the scene Avoid direct confrontation with a violent-prone

patient Resist the urge to engage in a verbal or even

non-verbal assault with a violent patient Call a law enforcement agent such as police You may need to contact a mental health

professional

DRUGS USED FOR CHEMICAL RESTRAINTS

Benzodiazepines – e.g Lorazepam (Ativan), Diazepam (Valium), Mediazolam ( Versed), etc

Haloperidol (Hadol)

CHARACTERISTICS OF AGGRESSIVE AND VIOLENT PATIENTS

Aggressive patients are capable of invading other people's privacy

They tend to speak louder than necessary They communicate their aggression either

verbally or non-verbally Gestures in aggressive patients could be

emphatic and appears as threat They often assume an upright posture

RESTRAINING TECHNIQUES

Touch support Back head lock Front choke Front choke to the wall One or two hand arm grab The use of applicable verbal communication

tactics

STRATEGIES TO AVOID PHYSICAL HARM

Assume a defensive standing posture Hair grabs Learn how to defend the face and the entire

body Learn how to withstand choking holds or grips Learn about vulnerable targets Learn the right way to approach the aggressive

and violent person

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF AGGRESSIVE AND VIOLENT ACT

Frequent fidgeting Jaw/ fist clenching Wild look in the eyes Slamming of doors Pacing around and being easily startled