To promote patient safety, government standards regarding ...

[ereecah]

To promote patient safety, government standards regarding mechanical and physical restraints state that:
 
  a. alternative measures are to be implemented before restraints are used.
  b. the nurse's judgment is all that is required for restraint use.
  c. restraints should be used immediately for all patients who may need them.
  d. restraints cannot be used except to prevent others from being harmed.

Question 2

A patient is well known to the hospital staff from previous admissions and is prone to wandering at night. For patient safety, the physician writes an order for belt restraint prn. What should the nurse do upon reviewing this order?
 
  a. Apply a belt restraint on the patient as needed.
  b. Have the patient sign an informed consent form.
  c. Inform the physician that prn restraint orders are unacceptable.
  d. Obtain a signed informed consent from a family member.

[morganmarie791]

Answer to Question 1

A
The use of mechanical or physical restraints must be part of the prescribed medical treatment, all less-restrictive interventions must be tried first, other disciplines must be applied, and supporting documentation must be provided. If the alternatives fail, the nurse may consider use of a restraint to prevent injury. Determine the patient's need for restraint if other less-restrictive measures fail to prevent interruption of therapy or injury to self or others. Confer with the physician or primary health care provider, who must write the order for restraints. Restraints may be needed for the confused or combative patient to prevent interruption of therapy or injury to self or others. Confer with the physician or primary health care provider.

Answer to Question 2

C
The use of mechanical or physical restraints should be part of a patient's prescribed medical treatment. A physician's time-limited order is necessary. The patient's or family member's informed consent is necessary in the long-term care setting.

[ereecah]

TYSM

[bdobbins]

Excellent