IAHSS Workplace Violence Prevention 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to IAHSS guidelines, which Type of workplace violence involves violence directed at employees by patients or their families?
- Type I - Criminal Intent
- Type II - Customer/Client (Correct answer)
- Type III - Worker-on-Worker
- Type IV - Personal Relationship
Correct answer: Type II - Customer/Client
Type II workplace violence involves violence directed at employees by patients, clients, customers, or their families, which is the most common type in healthcare settings.
Question 2: Which federal agency publishes guidelines specifically addressing workplace violence prevention in healthcare and social service settings?
- DEA
- OSHA (Correct answer)
- FEMA
- CMS
Correct answer: OSHA
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) publishes guidelines for preventing workplace violence for healthcare and social service workers.
Question 3: A healthcare security officer notices a visitor becoming increasingly agitated and using threatening language. What is the BEST initial de-escalation technique?
- Immediately call law enforcement
- Use a calm voice and active listening to acknowledge concerns (Correct answer)
- Physically restrain the individual as a precaution
- Ignore the behavior and continue normal duties
Correct answer: Use a calm voice and active listening to acknowledge concerns
Using a calm voice and active listening to acknowledge concerns is the best initial de-escalation technique, as it can reduce tension before the situation escalates further.
Question 4: What does the acronym 'STAMP' stand for in the context of healthcare workplace violence risk assessment?
- Staring, Tone, Anxiety, Mumbling, Pacing (Correct answer)
- Stabbing, Threatening, Alarming, Menacing, Pushing
- Staring, Tone, Agitation, Movement, Pace of speech
- Suspicious, Threatening, Agitated, Moving, Pointing
Correct answer: Staring, Tone, Anxiety, Mumbling, Pacing
STAMP stands for Staring, Tone, Anxiety, Mumbling, and Pacing — behavioral cues that may indicate an escalating patient or visitor who could become violent.
Question 5: Which environmental design strategy is MOST effective at reducing workplace violence risk in emergency departments?
- Installing vending machines near waiting areas
- Implementing controlled access and security checkpoints at entry points (Correct answer)
- Allowing unrestricted visitor access to all areas
- Reducing lighting in patient hallways
Correct answer: Implementing controlled access and security checkpoints at entry points
Controlled access and security checkpoints at entry points limit unauthorized individuals from entering clinical areas, significantly reducing the potential for violent incidents.
Question 6: Under IAHSS standards, what is a key component of a Workplace Violence Prevention Program (WVPP)?
- Mandatory weapons training for all clinical staff
- Regular risk assessments to identify hazards and vulnerabilities (Correct answer)
- Prohibition of any security cameras in patient areas
- Restricting incident reporting to senior administration only
Correct answer: Regular risk assessments to identify hazards and vulnerabilities
Regular risk assessments to identify hazards and vulnerabilities are a key component of a WVPP, enabling organizations to proactively address potential threats.
Question 7: Which of the following behaviors is considered a 'proximal warning sign' of imminent workplace violence?
- An employee consistently arriving late to work
- A patient clenching fists and invading the personal space of staff (Correct answer)
- A visitor asking multiple questions about hospital procedures
- A family member expressing frustration about wait times in writing
Correct answer: A patient clenching fists and invading the personal space of staff
Clenching fists and invading personal space are proximal warning signs of imminent violence, indicating immediate threat potential that requires immediate intervention.
IAHSS Workplace Violence Prevention 1
According to IAHSS guidelines, which Type of workplace violence involves violence directed at employees by patients or their families?