Unit 2: Part 10

Nursing Considerations for Restraints

• Assess the patient’s behavior:

  • Is it violent or nonviolent?

  • Consider if they feel lonely or overlooked.

• Interventions for loneliness:

  • Encourage family visitation.

  • Engage a patient liaison to spend time with the patient (e.g., reading magazines).

• Restraint protocols:

  • Nonviolent restraints usually valid for 24 hours.

  • Violent restraints require more frequent physician evaluation.

  • Restraints are used PRN (as needed).

  • Limit duration of restraints to ensure patient safety (e.g., preventing breath issues).

Fire Safety Nursing Interventions

• Follow facility protocols:

  • Know fire safety rules thoroughly.

• Common causes of fires in healthcare:

  • Smoking in bathrooms.

  • Faulty electrical equipment.

  • Combustion of anesthetic agents.

Fire Response Procedures

• Use RACE acronym:

  • Rescue anyone in immediate danger.

  • Alarm: pull the fire alarm and call 911.

  • Contain: close automatic fire-safe doors.

  • Extinguish: use a fire extinguisher for small fires.

• Use the PASS acronym for fire extinguishers:

  • Pull the pin.

  • Aim at the base of the fire.

  • Squeeze the handle.

  • Sweep side to side.