Which principle guides restraint use in psychiatric care?

• A. The least restrictive mode that provides the desired intervention.
• B. The most restrictive mode that provides the desired intervention.
• C. The restraint that the client dislikes the most.
• D. The restraint most readily available.

Answer: (A)

Restraint use should follow the least restrictive intervention necessary to keep the patient safe and achieve the desired care. Start with nonrestrictive approaches—de-escalation, calm communication, and a supportive environment—and only move to more restrictive measures if the risk of harm cannot be managed otherwise, with continuous monitoring and a plan for prompt release. This approach protects the patient’s rights and dignity while still ensuring safety. Choosing the most restrictive option, or basing restraint on what the patient dislikes or what’s most readily available, would unnecessarily infringe on autonomy and can cause greater harm. The guiding principle is to use the least restrictive method that still provides the needed intervention.