Page 8 - Guide to PICU

Person Centered Language for Responsive Behaviours

Use specific descriptions rather than generalizations. Don’t label the patient as the

behaviour

Language to Avoid Preferred Language
Exit Seeker/Flight Risk Person trying to leave floor, person trying to open doors
Wanderer Person enters others rooms, person frequently walks the

hallways at night/during meals
Sexually Inappropriate Person unbuttons blouse/fly in dining room
Person touches genitals
Person exposes self in front of others
Restless Person does not appear calm when sitting in chair

Person walking around room, does not sit down
Guarding/Territorial Person watches closely over personal belongings
Screamer/Disruptive Person repeatedly calling out spouse’s name, person
spontaneously yells words
Confused Person not oriented to time or place, person not able to
follow instructions, person struggling to make coherent
statements

Agitated Person leaning forward on edge of chair, voice getting louder
Person clenching jaw
Aggressive Person attempts to slap caregiver’s hand when giving
medications
Abusive Person cursing when RN entered room, person making racist

comments to nurse
Violent Person pulled staff hair, person attempted to strike staff
Refuses care/Uncooperative Person resists bathing
Non-compliant/Difficult Person tells nurse to go away when trying to introduce self,
person not following unit rules
Suspicious Person is concerned someone will steal their food tray

Paranoid Person expresses mistrust of care provider, other patients

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