What is the best way a nursing assistant can respond to a combative resident?

As a CNA, you're on the front line of patient care, and you probably spend more one-on-one time with residents than any other professional in your facility. While your job provides the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others and form close relationships with the people in your care, it's also challenging. Residents aren't always on their best behavior, and they may act out from time to time. Knowing how to deal with combative residents is essential for maintaining a positive and safe environment for everyone.

Assess the Situation

No two residents are the same, and their reasons for acting out differ considerably. Anger is often a secondary emotion, and residents are typically combative because they're feeling something else, according to Connected Risk Solutions. Some patients may feel physically uncomfortable, while others could be disoriented or confused in their surroundings.

Residents with dementia, Alzheimer's or another degenerative disease are particularly prone to agitation because they have difficulty identifying where they are, communicating with the people around them and carrying out tasks that were once easy for them. Assess what's causing the resident's behavior before you approach her. Identify what triggered her to act out so you can alleviate the stress that led to her outburst.

Formulate a Plan

When dealing with combative residents, think before you act if you want to help them return to a calm state. Once you've identified the trigger or cause of their agitation, remove it immediately. This could be as simple as turning down a television that disturbed them or taking them back to their rooms, where familiar items will make them feel comfortable and at home.

Be empathetic, but retain your position of authority when interacting with residents. Don't feed into their outbursts by allowing your behavior to mirror theirs. Remain calm, collected and in control, says Minority Nurse. By setting an example of appropriate behavior, you can bring residents up to your level and gain control of the situation. If you can't calm a resident on your own or think your physical safety or the safety of other residents is at risk, call for another CNA, a nurse or a doctor immediately.

Document the Event

Most care facilities require CNAs to document all outbursts or otherwise out-of-the-ordinary encounters with residents. Take note of the time of the tantrum and report what happened from an unbiased point of view. Avoid inserting your opinion as well as exaggerating or downplaying the event. In order for the resident's doctor, case worker or family to make effective and educated decisions regarding the resident's care, they need the facts. Documenting the event will help identify patterns or regular triggers so you can keep stress to a minimum in the future.

Prevention and Modifying the Behavior

In order to keep your care facility a safe, nurturing place for residents and employees, try to prevent residents from becoming combative in the first place. If a resident has a reputation for hostility and you know what triggers it, keep her away from those triggers as soon as possible. Watch her behavior closely and intervene before she has the chance to become combative.

For example, if you see her pacing and looking disoriented, don't wait for her to start yelling or crying before you act. Approach her immediately, remain calm and take her to a place where she feels safe and comfortable. In some instances, you can help residents learn to modify their behavior. For example, when a resident has calmed down after acting combative, tell her she can approach you when she feels uncomfortable and you'll help her deal with it. By being proactive and presenting yourself as a friend and mentor to residents, you become a person they can trust and go to when they feel agitated.

What is a proper way for a nursing assistant (NA) to respond if a resident does noot hear her or does not understand her?

The NA should speak slowly and clearly

What is an example of a barrier to communication? 

NA uses medical terminology with the resident 

What is a way to that an NA can avoid barriers to communication?

The should ask open-ended questions that require more than yes or no responses

Why is it important for an NA to consider a resident's cultural background when communicating with him?

Because cultural background helps determine how people communicate and can help the NA communicate better with the resident

What is the best way for a nursing assistant to respond to a resident who is angry?

Why is it important for a nursing assistant not to overreact when a resident behaves inappropriate?

Which of the following is the appropriate response of the nursing assistant when a resident complains of dysuria?

Which approach should the nursing assistant use to resolve conflict?