What are the responsibilities of a practical nurse caring for a client in wrist restraints?

What are the responsibilities of a practical nurse caring for a client in wrist restraints?

• A. Remove the restraints and arrange for a paid sitter as soon as possible.
• B. Make sure that the restraints are tied tightly and secured with a knot.
• C. Check skin integrity, pulses, colour, and sensation of the restrained part as often as every 1-2 hours.
• D. Ensure that the physician reorders the wrist restraints on a weekly basis.

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is that restraints must be used under current medical authorization. A practical nurse caring for someone with wrist restraints ensures there is a valid physician’s order for the restraints and that this order is kept up to date, meaning it’s renewed regularly according to policy. In this context, renewing the physician’s order on a weekly basis provides ongoing medical justification for continued restraint use and helps ensure legal and safety standards are met. While continual monitoring of the restrained limb is essential—checking skin, pulses, color, and sensation to prevent harm—the critical administrative step is maintaining a current order for the restraints, which governs their ongoing use. Following facility policy for the exact renewal interval is important, but the core responsibility is ensuring there is an up-to-date medical authorization.

The main idea here is that restraints must be used under current medical authorization. A practical nurse caring for someone with wrist restraints ensures there is a valid physician’s order for the restraints and that this order is kept up to date, meaning it’s renewed regularly according to policy. In this context, renewing the physician’s order on a weekly basis provides ongoing medical justification for continued restraint use and helps ensure legal and safety standards are met. While continual monitoring of the restrained limb is essential—checking skin, pulses, color, and sensation to prevent harm—the critical administrative step is maintaining a current order for the restraints, which governs their ongoing use. Following facility policy for the exact renewal interval is important, but the core responsibility is ensuring there is an up-to-date medical authorization.