Assessment of impulsivity among psychiatric inpatients

Routine assessment of impulsivity and accompanying coping skills is essential for planning care and appropriate management of patients identified as impulsive. Impulsivity can be defined in many ways, and many perspectives exist. Impulsivity is associated with several adult psychiatric disorders. In an inpatient psychiatric setting, nurses are more likely than members of other disciplines to encounter impulsive behavior due to the amount of time spent in direct patient care. As the primary caregivers in hospitals, nurses are responsible for the management of impulsive individuals. It is critical for treatment plans to incorporate interventions specifically targeting impulsivity.