BCEN CEN Practice Question

The use of physical restraints, such as soft wrist restraints, requires a specific order from a physician or another licensed independent practitioner before application. The order must be time-limited and specify the type of restraint to be used. This requirement is based on federal regulations and hospital policies designed to protect the patient's rights and ensure that restraints are used only when necessary for safety and not for staff convenience. While involving family and having witnesses can be part of a comprehensive care plan, they do not substitute for the legal requirement of a medical order. In a true emergency where the patient is violent or self-destructive, a nurse may apply restraints and then immediately obtain an order, but for medical-surgical applications to prevent interference with treatment, the order should precede the application.