Restraints are protective devices used to limit patient movement during medical procedures. They are used to immobilize body parts, restrict activity for safety and security, and prevent removal of life-supporting equipment or self-harm. Common types include clove hitch restraints for limbs, mitten restraints for hands, elbow restraints, mummy restraints for small children, jacket restraints, and safety belts. Proper application and nursing care of restraints is important to prevent tissue damage, pressure sores, and other hazards.

2. Restraints
 Restraints are protective devices used to limit
the movement of the patient while carrying out
diagnostic and therapeutic measures

3. Purposes
 To immobilize the body part
 To restrict activity and promote feeling of
security
 To prevent patient from harming himself and
others
 To prevent confused client from removing any
life supportive equipments

5. Types of restraints
 Clove hitch restraints
 Mitten restraint
 Elbow restraint
 Mummy restraints
 Jacket restraint
 Safety belts

6. Clove hitch restraint (extremity
restraints
 It is used to restraint one limb or all four.
 It is made from long gauze or commercial ties
 Make two loops with gauze and bring them
together.
 Adjust the loops snugly to the wrist or ankle
and tie the ends to the mattress spring.
 Padding the skin is essential

8. Mitten restraint
 It is used for patients to prevent them using
their fingers or hands for removing tubes,
dressing or other appliances used in the
treatment

10. Elbow restraint
 Take a well padded hard cardboard for splints
long enough to support the elbow from midarm
to forearm. Place it in position and firmly
bandage in spiral movement from below to
upward.
 The elbow restraints may be used for infants
who are receiving scalp vein infusion, infants
with cleft lip repairs etc.

11. Mummy restraint
 It is used to restrict the movement of the limbs
in a small child during a procedure-
eye,ear,throat examination
 This involves securing a sheet or blanket
around the child’s body in such a way that
arms are held the sides and leg movements
are restricted

12. Procedure
1. Place a blanket or draw sheet flat on the bed
2. Place the infant on his back on the sheet with the
top of the sheet at infant’s shoulder line and the
bottom of the sheet extending 10-12 inches
beyond his feet
3. Place infants one arm at sides in anatomical
position
4. Fold the sheet over the body and under the arm
at opposite side , tucking the excess securely
under infant
5. Fold the bottom corner up towards the shoulder
6. Place the other arm in anatomical position
7. Fold the sheet over the body and tuck the
excess sheet under infant

14. Jacket restraint
 It is used for children and adults.
 A jacket is usually put on the patient and tied
at the back and straps from the jacket are tied
to the both side of the bed frame under
mattress

16. Safety belts
 It made up of electrically non conductive
materials. These are frequently used on
stretchers and operation tables in order to
prevent the client from falling.

18. Hazards of restraints
 Tissue damage under restraints due to constant
friction
 Damage to other parts of body-dislocation
 Development of pressure sores
 Development of hypostatic pneumonia
 Ischemia or nerve damage
 Foot drop or wrist drop
 Inability of nursing staff to resuscitate a client in
time
 Inability of client to escape injury or death.

19. General instructions/nursing
care
 Explain the need and type of restraints
 Allow freedom to move’
 Circulation must not be occluded by restraint
 Pad the bony prominence
 Maintain the normal body alignment while applying
restraints
 Untie the restraint every 4 hours
 Client with restraint should be visited every 30-60 hrs
 Fasten the restraint to the bed frame ,not to the side
rail
 Never use restraint over an IV site
 Ensure that there are no wrinkles on restriant

20.  Choose correct restraint size