Chapter 24 Anger and Aggression

Chapter 24  Anger and Aggression

Complete Chapter Questions And Answers
 

Sample Questions

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1) The client who should be assessed as demonstrating aggression is
A.
A, who stomps away from the nurses’ station, goes into the day room, and grabs a pool cue from a client standing at the pool table.
B.
B, who bursts into tears, leaves the community meeting, and sits on her bed hugging her pillow and sobbing.
C.
C, who tells her primary nurse “When you told me that I could not have a pass, I felt angry.”
D.
D, who tells the medication nurse “I am not going to take that, or any other, medication.”

ANS: A
Aggression is harsh physical or verbal action that reflects rage, hostility, and potential for physical or verbal destructiveness. Aggressive behavior violates the rights of others; thus client A would be assessed as displaying aggression. The other options do not feature violation of another’s rights.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: Text Page: 490
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity

2) Which statement about aggression would serve as a basis for care planning using behavioral techniques? Aggression
A.
runs in families and is manifested as early as infancy.
B.
results from abnormalities in the temporal lobe of the brain.
C.
results from low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin.
D.
is motivated by rewards received for previous aggression.

ANS: D
Behavioral theory does not accept aggressive drives as being instinctual or biological. It views aggressive behavior as a learned response that tends to be repeated if reinforced. Lack of reinforcement or reinforcing other, more desirable behavior will help extinguish the aggressive behavior. Option A suggests a genetic origin for aggression. Option B suggests brain abnormality as the origin for aggression. Option C suggests neurotransmitter abnormality as the origin for aggression. Behavioral techniques would not necessarily be chosen for these options.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: Text Page: 491
TOP: Nursing Process: Planning MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity

3) A nurse tells a colleague “When the client said ‘You have no right to treat me this way!’ and hit the nurse, he was responding to the perceived threat of powerlessness when his request for a weekend pass was refused.” This comment reflects the clinician’s belief that aggression should be assessed in terms of
A.
behavioral theory.
B.
cognitive theory.
C.
biological theory.
D.
genetic theory.

ANS: B
Cognitive theory suggests an event is more likely to lead to anger and aggression if the event is perceived as threatening. Option A would require an analysis referring to learned behavior. Option C would require an analysis referring to a brain abnormality. Option D would require an analysis suggesting an inherited trait.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: Text Page: 492
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Safe, Effective Care Environment;

4) The client on the mental health unit who should be assessed as being at highest risk for directing violent behavior toward others is
A.
E, who has obsessive-compulsive disorder and performs many rituals.
B.
F, who has paranoid delusions that she is being followed by members of the mafia.
C.
G, who has severe depression with delusions of worthlessness.
D.
H, who has completed alcohol withdrawal and is beginning a rehabilitation program.

ANS: B
F has the greatest disruption of ability to perceive reality accurately. People who feel persecuted may strike out against those believed to be persecutors. The other clients have better reality-testing ability.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: Text Page: 491
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Safe, Effective Care Environment;

5) The behavior that would be considered inconsistent with the clinical picture of a client who is becoming increasingly aggressive is
A.
pacing.
B.
sobbing inconsolably.
C.
rigid posture with a clenched jaw.
D.
staring with narrowed eyes into the eyes of another.

ANS: B
Crying is not cited by experts as a behavior indicating that the individual has a high potential to behave violently. The other behaviors are consistent with increasing risk for other-directed violence.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: Text Page: 493
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Safe, Effective Care Environment;