A patient was arrested for breaking windows in the home of a former domestic partner. The patient's history also reveals childhood abuse by a punitive parent, torturing family pets, and an arrest for disorderly conduct. Which nursing diagnosis has priority?
A) Risk for injury
B) Ineffective coping
C) Impaired social interaction
D) Risk for other-directed violence

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Defining characteristics for risk for other-directed violence include a history of being abused as a child, having committed other violent acts, and demonstrating poor impulse control. There is no indicator that the patient will experience injury. Ineffective coping and impaired social interaction have lower priorities.

A Patient Was Arrested for Breaking Windows in the Home