Which of the following is a risk factor for patient violence?

• A. Specified victim (consider proximity, likelihood of provocation)
• B. Calm demeanor
• C. Regular exercise
• D. None

Answer: (A)

When evaluating safety during an encounter with a potentially violent patient, key risk factors are those that increase the chance of aggression, particularly who is involved and how close you are to the patient. Being treated as a specified victim means you are a defined target, and the risk rises if you’re in close proximity and there’s a real possibility the patient could be provoked into violence. This combination—targeting and proximity with provocation risk—directly informs how you should approach, position, and prepare for the encounter, including maintaining an escape path, calling for backup, and using de-escalation techniques.

Calm demeanor and regular exercise, while helpful for reducing tension and personal resilience, do not indicate a higher risk of violence. None isn’t accurate here because there are identifiable risk factors present.