What are some reasons to restrain a patient?

[Poi Dog]

I had this question during an interview and all I could of was to prevent the patient from hurting him/her self. What, if any other reasons would restraints be ordered?

Thanks!

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

I had this question during an interview and all I could of was to prevent the patient from hurting him/her self. What, if any other reasons would restraints be ordered?

Thanks!

That pretty much covers it, as a lot of more specific scenarios fall under that umbrella. From falling (when other interventions do not work, mind you, and restraints are the ONLY option), pulling out tubes, self harm, etc.

[Flo., BSN, RN]

Prevent pt from hurting staff.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Prevent pt from hurting staff.

Or from hurting other patients.

Though keep in mind that restraint should always be a last resort...that is, after you've exhausted every other option possible. You never run to restrain when something less restrictive could fix it.

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

Though keep in mind that restraint should always be a last resort...that is, after you've exhausted every other option possible. You never run to restrain when something less restrictive could fix it.

It also depends on where you are working. If your in the ED and you have someone coming in high on PCP and it takes 10 people to prevent them from trying to hurt someone then they are getting restrained first and then sedated. However if your on a med-surg unit then you would use other interventions first and then restraints.

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

duplicate

[ZippyGBR, BSN, RN]

The one and only acceptable answer in a civilised world is as a last option to prevent someone from harming themselves or others.

Provider convenience is not a valid reason and it is notable that some of the practices advocated on this forum in other discussions would be considered abuse elsewhere.

and to link in with another current discussion - if this makes me a liberal ... i'm quoting Bender (from futurama ) bite my shiny metal ass...

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

It also depends on where you are working. If your in the ED and you have someone coming in high on PCP and it takes 10 people to prevent them from trying to hurt someone then they are getting restrained first and then sedated. However if your on a med-surg unit then you would use other interventions first and then restraints.

True. In your example, restraint might be one of the few options possible...if not the only one.

[JacknSweetpea]

Because they're annoying...

[ObtundedRN, BSN, RN]

Because they're annoying...

If only we could use some type of verbal restraints on our patients? Perhaps a ball gag would work? haha

[JenniferSews]

Because they are at grave risk of harming themselves and all other interventions have been exhausted might be the answer. But it depends on the policies of the facility. In some facilities no reason is good enough. If they can't stay without restraints then they are not appropriate for admission in the first place. Of course, that is sub acute care where you have a choice.