Illinois Nursing Home Administrators (NHA) Practice Exam

Which of the following is true regarding the application of a physical restraint without a physician's order?

1. This may be done without a physician's order.

2. This may be done only to prevent the resident from harming herself or himself.

3. Without a physician's order, a restraint may be applied for no more than 8 hours when a resident needs "emergency care."

4. This may never be done if there would be negative impacts on the resident.

The correct answer is: Without a physician's order, a restraint may be applied for no more than 8 hours when a resident needs "emergency care."

The application of physical restraints in a nursing home setting is highly regulated to ensure the safety and rights of residents. The correct assertion is that a restraint may be applied without a physician's order for up to eight hours in situations deemed as "emergency care." This is generally accepted when there is an immediate need to prevent harm, such as a situation where a resident poses a threat to themselves or others; however, such measures are intended to be temporary and should always be followed up with a physician's order as soon as feasible. In this context, it's crucial to understand that "emergency care" refers to situations that require immediate intervention to ensure safety. Therefore, while restraints can be used in emergencies, they are not an acceptable long-term solution and must always be coupled with a plan for assessment and reevaluation by medical professionals. The other considerations, such as the belief that restraints may be applied only to prevent self-harm or that they may be used irresponsibly without regard for the resident's well-being, highlight misconceptions about the ethical application of restraints. Nursing homes must adhere to strict guidelines, prioritizing resident dignity and safety while minimizing the use of restraints whenever possible.