Which situation is appropriate to restrain the patient?

• A. A patient is cooperative and calm.
• B. A patient is aggressive and combative after complaining of hallucinations.
• C. A patient is in mild distress but compliant.
• D. A patient requests to be restrained for transport.

Answer: (B)

Restraint is appropriate when there is imminent danger to the patient or others and de‑escalation has not reduced the risk. In this scenario, the patient is aggressive and combative after experiencing hallucinations, which suggests a potential acute psychiatric or medical crisis with a high risk of harm. Restraining helps protect everyone while you assess, treat, and arrange safe transport, and it should be used only as a last resort with the least restrictive method and continuous monitoring.

Other situations described do not justify restraint: a cooperative and calm patient requires no restraint, a patient in mild distress who remains compliant can be managed without restraints, and a patient requesting restraint for transport should not be restrained solely on that request unless there is a valid clinical or safety reason and proper consent/authorization. Restraint should never be used as punishment or for convenience.