3-5.
APPLY RESTRAINTS
Wrist and ankle restraints are used when it is necessary to restrict movement of
the limbs. This will include when a patient is potentially harmful to himself or to others, to
prevent the patient from removing tubes or other appliances, or to immobilize a part while
a procedure is being done. These restraints may be leather, linen, or improvised from
other materials.
NOTE:
Disposable and reusable linen may be used as wrist and ankle restraints, but
only if the purpose is to limit movement. They are not a secure method of
restraining violent patients.
a. Wrist and Ankle Restraints.
(1)
Clean the patient's skin of the wrist and ankles, then powder the skin.
(2)
Pad the patient's limb with an ABD pad.
NOTE:
Some cloth restraints are pre-padded with soft flannel or cotton that eliminates
the need to apply additional padding.
(3) Position the restraint over the patient's limb and bring the strap, which is
sewn at the tape, through the slot in the broad end (figure 3-1).
(4) Pull the strap snug enough to restrict free movement of the patient's limbs
and tie the strap to the bed frame.
Figure 3-1. Limb holder or wrist restraint.
MD0549
3-5