A nurse applies bilateral wrist restraints to an alert, fully oriented client who has been frequently requesting help to get out of bed. The nurse applies the restraints without a physician's order because the unit is short-staffed and the nurse is concerned about falls. Which legal concept best describes this situation?
- AFalse imprisonment, because the client's freedom of movement was restricted without justification or a proper order
- BBattery, because the restraints involve unauthorized physical contact with the client
- CNegligence, because the nurse failed to meet the general standard of care
- DAssault, because the client was threatened with physical restraint
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. False imprisonment, because the client's freedom of movement was restricted without justification or a proper order
False imprisonment occurs when a competent client's freedom of movement is restricted without legal justification, such as applying restraints to an alert, oriented client without a valid order or documented clinical indication. Restraints used purely for staff convenience rather than an assessed safety need constitute an unjustified restriction of liberty.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Battery involves unauthorized touching, but the more precise legal concept here is the unjustified restriction of movement.
- C. Negligence is a broader concept about failing standards of care, less specific than the intentional confinement described here.
- D. Assault involves a threat of harmful contact, not the actual physical restriction described.
False Imprisonment
False imprisonment is the unjustified restriction of a client's freedom of movement without a proper order or legitimate safety indication, such as restraining an alert, oriented client for staff convenience.
- Restraints require a physician's order and documented justification
- Restraining a competent client without cause is false imprisonment
- Different from battery (unauthorized touching) and assault (threat of harm)
- Least restrictive alternatives must be tried first
Memory trick: No order, no cause—restraint becomes a cage.