A nurse manager is updating protocols for the use of belt restraints. Which of the following guidelines should the nurse manager include?

The correct answer is choice A.

Choice A rationale:

Documenting the client’s condition every 15 minutes is a crucial part of using restraints. Regular documentation helps ensure the safety and well-being of the client, as it allows for continuous monitoring and timely intervention if necessary.

Choice B rationale:

Requesting a PRN (as needed) restraint prescription for clients who are aggressive is not a recommended practice. Restraints should only be used as a last resort and must be based on a thorough assessment of the client’s condition, not solely on their behavior.

Choice C rationale:

Attaching the restraint to the bed’s side rails is not recommended. This can increase the risk of injury to the client. Restraints should be attached to a part of the bed frame that moves with the client, such as the head or footboard.

Choice D rationale:

While it’s important to regularly check and adjust restraints for comfort and safety, there’s no specific guideline that restraints should be removed every 4 hours. The frequency of removal and repositioning will depend on the individual client’s condition and needs.

This is because potassium is a medication that can cause cardiac arrest if given too quickly or in high doses. A nurse who administers potassium via IV bolus is not providing the standard of care that a similarly trained nurse would have offered under the same circumstances. This could result in harm or death to the patient.

Choice A is wrong because placing a yellow bracelet on a client who is at risk for falls is not malpractice, but rather a safety measure.

A yellow bracelet indicates that the client needs assistance with mobility and should not be left alone. This is a common practice in many health care facilities to prevent falls and injuries.

Choice B is wrong because leaving a nasogastric tube clamped after administering oral medication is not malpractice, but rather a mistake.

A nasogastric tube is a tube that goes through the nose and into the stomach to deliver nutrition or medication.

It should be unclamped after giving oral medication to allow the medication to enter the stomach and prevent reflux or aspiration. However, this error does not rise to the level of malpractice unless it causes harm to the patient, such as vomiting, choking, or infection.

Choice D is wrong because documenting communication with a provider in the progress notes of the client’s medical record is not malpractice, but rather a good practice.