b. Improvised Restraints.
(1)
Clean the patient's skin at the wrist and ankles and powder the skin.
(2) Pad the patient's limb with any soft cloth, such as towels, clothing, gauze,
compresses, or clean handkerchief.
(3)
Secure the restraining material to the patient's limb with a clove hitch
(figure 3-2).
Figure 3-2. Improvised restraints.
(4)
Pull the knot to fit the patient's limb snugly and tie both free ends to the
bed frame.
(5)
Repeat the steps above for the patient's other three limbs.
c. Mitt Restraints.
(1) Place the patient's hand in a naturally flexed position. This will allow for
unrestricted circulation and provides minimal strain to the muscles.
(2) Place soft-rolled dressing or washcloth in the patient's hand and close the
patient's hand. This permits the patient to flex his hand while the mitten is in place.
(3)
Place padding between patient's fingers as shown in figure 3-3.
(4)
Wrap the patient's entire hand snugly with Kerlix bandage (figure 3-3).
MD0549
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