During an initial examination, a patient becomes combative. What is the MOST immediate action for the therapist?

• A. Continue with the examination as planned
• B. Document the patient's behavior in the medical record
• C. Discontinue the treatment session
• D. Attempt to condense the remaining portion of the examination

Answer: (C)

When aggression appears during an initial assessment, the priority is safety for everyone involved. The most immediate action is to discontinue the treatment session. Stopping the session prevents potential harm to the patient and the therapist, gives you a moment to de‑escalate or seek assistance, and allows you to reassess the situation without continuing to expose either party to risk. After safety is established, you can address next steps, such as rescheduling in a safer setting and documenting what happened. Continuing the exam or trying to shorten the remaining portion doesn’t address the immediate danger, and simply noting the behavior afterward won’t prevent harm in the moment.