Measures that may help reduce agitation and aggressiveness include Moving patients to a calm, quiet environment (eg, a seclusion room, when available) Removing objects that could be used to inflict harm to self or others Expressing sympathetic concern for patients and their complaints Responding in a confident yet supportive manner Inquiring what can be done to resolve the cause of the agitation or aggressiveness Speaking directly—mentioning that patients seem angry or upset, asking them if they intend to hurt someone—acknowledges their feelings and may elicit information; it does not make them more likely to act out.