Following nephrectomy surgery, the patient is groggy and continuously pulls at the IV inserted in the right arm. Which intervention is most appropriate to protect the IV?

Incorrect

  • Soft mitten for the left hand
  • Soft mittens for both hands
  • Soft wrist restraints for both arms
  • Soft wrist restraint for the left arm

Rationale

The proper protocol for the use of physical restraints is to implement the least restrictive restraint needed to accomplish the goal. In this patient who is pulling at his IV site in his right arm, the least restrictive choice is a soft mitten for the left hand. Soft mittens for both hands, or soft bilateral wrist restraints are not appropriate since they are needlessly restrictive. A soft wrist restraint is more restrictive than the mitten and is therefore inappropriate.

  • Category: Safety and Infection Control
  • Difficulty: 5
  • Tags: Disease Prevention Health Care Ethics, Law, and Policy Health Care Quality Health Promotion Mental Health Disorders Nursing Interventions Routes of Administration

Question 61 of 75

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