Final answer:
When teaching about mechanical restraints, nurses should be taught to perform complete documentation every 2 hours, apply restraints only after other methods fail, and have the client assessed by a healthcare provider as soon as possible post-application.
Step-by-step explanation:
Teaching Newly Licensed Nurses about Mechanical Restraints
When teaching newly licensed nurses about the use of mechanical restraints, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of following proper protocols and guidelines to ensure patient safety and legal compliance. One of the key points to include in the teaching is the necessity for complete documentation about the client's status every 2 hours while they are in restraints. This is essential for monitoring the patient's well-being and for legal and regulatory reasons.
Another critical aspect is that restraints should only be applied when other means of managing the client's behavior, such as verbal de-escalation, have been attempted and have failed, thereby making restraints the last resort (Option C). Restraints should not be used as a first response or for punitive reasons.
Additionally, it is a requirement that a healthcare provider assess the client as soon as possible after the application of restraints. This generally should occur much sooner than 24 hours, as it is part of ensuring the appropriate use and safety of the restraints. The actual timeframe can vary based on local regulations and the policies of the healthcare institution.
It is incorrect to maintain a client in restraints for a minimum set period, such as 4 hours (Option B), as the duration of restraint use should be guided by the individual client’s condition and behavior. The goal is always to remove restraints at the earliest opportunity when it is safe to do so.