Restraints 

- by KALPANA (SON VELLORE )

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-ND.

INTRODUCTION 

Restrains are methods used by trained

health care providers to stop or limit a
patient's movement 
Definition :-Restrain is defined as "the
intentional restriction of a person's
voluntary movement or behavior 
 Purposes of restrains
• To carry out the physical examination 
• To provide safety to child 
• To protect from injury 
• To complete the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures 
• To maintain the patient in particular position
• To reduce the discomfort of patient during some tests and procedures like
specimen collection 
• To safely provide immediate and necessary care 
• To prevent harm to himself or others 
• To prevent the patient from removing lifesaving equipment, such as IVs or
breathing tubes 
 Indications 
• Displaying behavior that od putting themselves at risk of harm
• Displaying behavior that is putting others at risk of harm 
• Requiring treatment by a legal order, for example, under the mental health act 2007
• Requiring life-saving treatment 
• Need to be maintained in secure settings 
• Restrains may be used to keep a person in proper position and prevent movement
or falling during surgery or while on a stretcher 
• Sometimes hospital patients who are confused need restraints so that they do not:
- scratch their skin
-Remove catheters and tubes that administers medicine and fluids
-get out of bed, fall and hurt themselves  
Types of restraints 
• Physical restraints : physical restraints limit a client's movement. For
example, table fixed to a chair or a bed rail that cannot be opeced by
the client.
• Environmental restraints: environmental restraints are
the ones that change or modify a person's surroundings to restrict or
control a client's mobility. For example, a secure unit of
garden, seclusion etc.,
• Chemical restraints : chemical restraints are any form of psychoactive
medication used not to treat illness, but to intentionally inhibit a
particular behavior or movements