When applying restraints, which is crucial to have?

• A. Assistance
• B. Documentation
• C. Physician order
• D. Supervision

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that restraints are a safety procedure that must be performed with immediate help from trained staff. Having assistance ensures the person applying the restraints uses correct technique, places and sizes the restraints properly, and can monitor the patient continuously for distress or complications. An assistant can quickly intervene if the patient becomes agitated, starts to struggle, or shows signs of breathing difficulty, and can help release the restraints promptly if needed. While getting a physician order and maintaining documentation are important, the hands-on presence of another trained person is what makes the application safe in the moment.