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What should you do if a patient is being combative?

  1. Restrain the patient immediately

  2. Leave the room and notify the nurse

  3. Leave the room and come back when the patient is not upset

  4. Call security

The correct answer is: Restrain the patient immediately

When a patient becomes combative, it is important to prioritize their safety as well as the safety of those around them. Restraint should only be used as a last resort after other de-escalation techniques have been attempted. Leaving the room and coming back when the patient is calm may not be an effective solution as the patient's behavior may continue to escalate without proper intervention. Leaving the room and notifying the nurse is a good first step, however, in an emergency situation, immediate action is necessary. Calling security may also be a valid option, but it is important to not rely solely on external help. Therefore, the best course of action when a patient is being combative is to calmly restrain them while continuing to monitor the situation. This will ensure the patient's safety while allowing for proper medical attention to be given.