A charge nurse is teaching new staff members about factors that increase a client's risk to become violent. Which of the following risk factors should the nurse include as the best predictor of future violence?

The single best predictor of future violent behavior is a history of past violence. This is well-established in psychiatric and forensic nursing literature. While delusions, incarceration history, and male gender may be associated with increased risk, none is as predictive as prior violent behavior. Nurses must assess for this specific history during admissions to mental health settings.