What term means limiting patient movement for safety?

• A. Restraint
• B. Least Restrictive Method
• C. Chemical Restraint
• D. Physical Restraint

Answer: (A)

Restraint is the general term for measures that limit a patient’s movement to keep them safe. It can include physical devices or holds as well as chemical methods (medications) used to control behavior. The idea behind restraint is to prevent harm when less restrictive approaches have failed or aren’t feasible, always with ongoing monitoring and reassessment. The idea of the least restrictive method describes using the minimum restriction needed, but it isn’t the term for the act itself. Chemical restraint refers specifically to drugs used to control movement or behavior, and physical restraint refers to the actual devices or holds used to restrict movement.