When wrist restraints are placed at 5:00 pm, which time is best to remove the restraints to allow range of motion exercises?

When wrist restraints are placed at 5:00 pm, which time is best to remove the restraints to allow range of motion exercises?

• A. 5:30 pm
• B. 7:00 pm
• C. Next change of shift
• D. When use of restraints is no longer needed

Answer: (B)

Regularly releasing restraints to perform range-of-motion exercises and to check circulation and skin integrity is essential. After placing wrist restraints at 5:00 pm, the safest window to remove them for ROM is about two hours later, at 7:00 pm. This interval allows you to assess the limb—for color, temperature, sensation, and edema—and to guide gentle ROM without leaving the patient restrained longer than necessary. Releasing at 5:30 pm provides too short a window for meaningful assessment and exercise, while waiting for the next shift or until restraints are no longer needed delays ROM and monitoring, increasing the risk of complications from prolonged restraint use.

Regularly releasing restraints to perform range-of-motion exercises and to check circulation and skin integrity is essential. After placing wrist restraints at 5:00 pm, the safest window to remove them for ROM is about two hours later, at 7:00 pm. This interval allows you to assess the limb—for color, temperature, sensation, and edema—and to guide gentle ROM without leaving the patient restrained longer than necessary. Releasing at 5:30 pm provides too short a window for meaningful assessment and exercise, while waiting for the next shift or until restraints are no longer needed delays ROM and monitoring, increasing the risk of complications from prolonged restraint use.