How can you meet a restrained client’s psychological needs?
A Treat the person with kindness, caring, respect, and dignity.
B Toilet the client every 6 hours.
C Visit the person often.
D Offer repeated explanations and reassurance.
E Be a good listener.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is A. Treat the person with kindness, caring, respect, and dignity.
Meeting the psychological needs of a restrained client involves ensuring their emotional well-being in addition to their physical safety. Restraint can evoke feelings of anxiety, frustration, and helplessness in patients. Thus, addressing these psychological needs becomes essential for maintaining their mental health during this challenging time.
Treating the client with kindness, caring, respect, and dignity helps foster trust and comfort. When individuals feel respected and cared for, it promotes a sense of security and reduces the distress associated with being restrained. It’s important to acknowledge the person’s emotions, validate their feelings, and avoid speaking in a patronizing manner. This approach makes the client feel more human and less like an object to be managed.
While options B (toileting every 6 hours) and C (visiting often) may address physical and social aspects, they do not specifically target psychological needs. Offering repeated explanations and reassurance (D) can be helpful, but it is not as foundational as treating the person with inherent respect. Similarly, being a good listener (E) is important but should be combined with a general attitude of kindness and respect.
Psychological care should also focus on minimizing feelings of isolation. If a patient is restrained for an extended period, regular interaction, offering comfort, and ensuring that their concerns and preferences are heard can make a significant difference. The goal is to maintain their dignity and prevent emotional distress, ultimately fostering an environment that promotes healing, trust, and cooperation.