Nursing Restraints, Fire Safety, Hazards & Body Mechanics

Types of Restraints

  • Waist Restraint:

    • Used to protect patients at risk of getting out of bed or chairs.

    • Application: Placed around the patient's waist with straps tied to the movable part of the bed frame or the lower back of the wheelchair.

  • Extremity Restraint:

    • Used to prevent patients from pulling out tubes or removing monitoring devices.

    • Application: Placed around the patient's wrist and tied to the movable portion of the bed frame, avoiding the bed rails.

  • Mitt Restraint:

    • Used to protect patients from pulling out tubes or interfering with treatments; also used to prevent scratching in patients with severe skin disorders.

    • Application: Patient's hand is placed inside the mitt, secured around the wrist, and straps can be tied to the movable part of the bed frame, avoiding the bed rails.

Types of Fires and Extinguishers

  • Different fire extinguishers are designed for various types of fires.

  • Importance of using the correct extinguisher for the specific type of fire.

  • Type A: Paper, wood, fabric, and trash.

  • Type B: Combustible liquids (oil, gasoline, petroleum-based products) and flammable gases.

  • Type C: Electrical fires (short circuits in wires, motors, or equipment).

  • Type D: Powders, flakes, or shavings of combustible metals.

  • Type K: Kitchen fires caused by combustible cooking fluids (oils and fats).

  • Note: Many fire extinguishers are a combination of A, B, and C, suitable for all three fire types. Each extinguisher is marked to indicate the fires it can extinguish.

Types of Hazards to Nursing Staff

  • Importance of being aware of hazards in nursing to protect oneself.

  • Physical Hazards:

    • Injuries to back and joints.

    • Repetitive motion injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

    • Exposure to lasers (eye injuries if protection not used)

    • Exposure to radiation.

  • Chemical Hazards:

    • Exposure to cytotoxic medications and treatments (e.g., chemotherapy).

    • Exposure to other chemicals, including cleaning fluids.

  • Biological Hazards:

    • Exposure to blood and body fluids contaminated with HIV or hepatitis viruses.

    • Exposure to influenza viruses.

    • Exposure to epidemics and pandemics.

Body Mechanics

  • Body mechanics involves using the body's joints and leverage to one's advantage, working with the body's design.

  • Applies to moving patients or supplies.

  • Understanding the center of gravity: the middle point of the body, located below the umbilicus and above the pubis, around which the body's mass is distributed.

  • Understanding the base of support: refers to the feet and lower legs, providing stability and balance when lifting or moving heavy objects.

  • A wider base of support lowers the center of gravity. Keep feet shoulder-width apart to establish a solid base of support.

Radiation Hazards

  • Radiation: Emission of energy in the form of rays, waves, or particles, used for diagnosis and treatment.

  • Nurses may be exposed when caring for patients treated with radiation.

  • Safety measures to prevent excessive radiation exposure:

    • Wear a lead apron during procedures involving x-rays and fluoroscopy.

    • Wear a film badge if working regularly in a radiology area to measure radiation exposure over time.

    • Limit time spent with patients with internal or implanted radiation (e.g., cancer and thyroid conditions).

    • Pregnant nurses should not care for these patients and should follow facility policy for alternative assignments.