MAB Course Flashcards

Aggression and Defensive Strategies

• Aggression: A behavior intended to harm or assert dominance.
• Self-defense: The right to use reasonable force against an aggressor to protect oneself or others.
• Awareness: A comprehensive understanding or perception of a situation; important to trust instinct.

Monitoring and Reaction

• Vigilance: Maintaining a careful watch for potential danger or difficulties.
• Avoidance: Actively staying away from situations or actions to prevent harm.
• Defend: To resist attacks or protect from harm.

Crisis Management

• Crisis cycle: A four-step process including anxiety/supportive, defensive/directive, risk behavior/physical intervention, and tension reduction.
• Influences on crisis cycle: Staff behavior significantly impacts the client's response; it is a fluid interaction.
• Precipitating factors: Recognizing early signs to prevent escalation; effective engagement with the patient is vital.

Communication Techniques

• Paraverbal communication: Focus on the tone, volume, and cadence of speech to enhance understanding.
• Body language: Essential to maintain open, non-threatening postures; avoid closed positions like hands in pockets.

De-escalation Strategies

• QTIP: Quit taking it personally; assess and manage personal triggers and maintain awareness for effective reactions.
• Limit-setting techniques: Use strategies like "when and then" or "if and then" to guide individuals toward positive behaviors.
• Audience: Remove onlookers to reduce the feeling of empowerment in an individual venting or acting disruptively.

Safety and Restraint

• Own the door: Position yourself near exits in crisis situations for safety and escape possibilities.
• Restraints: Use them as a last resort, mainly for violent behavior; ensure restrictions are least invasive.
• Mittens and chest restraints: Suitable for older, confused patients for their safety; preference for less restrictive methods.

Reaction Types

• Productive reaction: Results in increased effectiveness in sensing the environment; enhances performance during stressful situations.
• Unproductive reaction: Manifested through freezing or inappropriate responses that may escalate situations.

Documentation and Reflection

• QRE documentation: Record specific details on the incident, including types of force and de-escalation techniques used; do not include QRE mention in patient charts.
• Critical decision-making: Must justify actions taken in response to aggressive behavior; ensure interventions are proportionate and minimally restrictive.

Prevention Techniques

• Know personal stress responses: Self-awareness can improve responses to aggression.
• Reactionary gap: Maintain a distance of 4-6 feet for safety in confrontational situations.
• Charting requirements: Document risks to safety and verbal de-escalation efforts; necessary for patient protection and legal accountability.

Escape Techniques

• Escape from bites or hair pulls: “Feed the bite” by not pulling away; move towards the source of a hair pull to effectively escape.

These notes encapsulate crucial principles for handling aggression, crisis management, and effective communication. Understanding these concepts promotes safety and effective de-escalation in potentially volatile situations.