2-18. BEHAVIORAL RESPONSES OF THE PATIENT
a. General. A patient's negative feelings can result in counterproductive,
behavioral responses to illness and hospitalization. The patient's attitude, feelings and
behavior are a response not only to what is done in terms of care and treatment, but
how it is done. Thus, the attitude and behavior of the x-ray technologist (and all other
health care providers with whom the patient comes in contact) will have considerable
impact on the patient's attitude and behavior. Your attitude and behavior contribute to
the patient's environment, which can influence a patient's response to treatment. So the
manner in which you respond not only affects the patient's mental well being, but his or
her physical recuperation as well.
b. Aggression. Aggression, the most common response to frustration, can
range from sarcastic remarks to destructive behavior. The patient may talk back, resist
directions or treatment, brag, chronically complain, find fault with others, delight in
intentionally causing inconveniences, fight with other patients and staff, or simply not
cooperate.
c. Avoidance. Avoidance, physically or mentally leaving a situation, is a
common response to loss of interest in one's surroundings. But it may also be the result
of a sense of strangeness or fear. While this kind of patient may not be a visible
nuisance like the aggressive patient, the feelings that generate avoidance are harder to
defuse. The aggressive patient's feelings are released by aggressive behavior. By
comparison, it is harder to get at the feelings of a patient who practices avoidance.
d. Resignation. The patient who is resigned has given up and approaches
everything passively. The resigned patient is hard to deal with because he or she
discourages any action that might lead to a solution.
e. Withdrawal. The patient who is withdrawn feels unable to cope, retreating
into a shell to avoid unpleasant situations. This type of patient lacks interest in normal
activities of daily life or in recovery, becomes uncommunicative, and loses self-
f. Regression. The patient who has regressed exhibits the most
counterproductive behavior of all reverting to childlike behavior and immature attitudes;
this kind of patient does not wish to regain independence and responsibility. Fearing
and suspecting change and new ways of doing things, this patient seeks frequent
reassurance and repeated explanations. Use a child, he or she demands immediate
satisfaction for his needs, while displaying little regard for others.
2-19. APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR FOR A HEALTH CARE WORKER
a. Be cheerful. Smiling goes a long way toward reducing patient anxiety and
tensions.
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