Responding to irritable people in the OR setting.

1. Irritability may be caused by psychologic factors, physiologic factors, external factors, or a combination of factors. 2. If the nurse reacts to another individual's irritability by feeling inadequate, becoming irritable, or any other number of nontherapeutic responses, emotions may be escalated, interpersonal relationships may be irretrievably damaged, and productivity on the job may be diminished. 3. A therapeutic response to irritability can have a steadying effect and lead to a peaceful resolution; appropriate response by the nurse to facilitate positive communication, provide support, and promote effective resolution of problems can assist in pacifying tense situations when irritability becomes a problem.