Understanding and managing the aggressive patient
The Agitated Patient: Part II - Understanding and Managing the Aggressive Patient
Presented by
Reginald E. Bannerman, RN, MSN, MBA, NE-BC
Director, Nursing & Service Psychiatry, Children’s National
Paramjit Joshi, MD
Division Chief, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children’s National
Aggression is like the “fever of unknown origin.” Patients presenting with aggression and violent behaviors present a diagnostic dilemma and it is important for healthcare workers to understand the underlying factors as to why patients act in an aggressive manner. With this understanding, the management of an aggressive patient can be tailored in addressing not only the overt behaviors but also the underlying psychopathology.
Learning Objectives
Attendees of this session will be able to:
- Identify the causes of aggression in psychiatric patients
- Apply strategies in both verbal and non-verbal de-escalation of patients who are aggressive
- Apply techniques in how to keep a milieu safe