Mechanical restraint is defined as which of the following?

• A. A Prohibited Emergency Intervention Using a Device to Restrict Movement
• B. A Voluntary Timeout
• C. A Soft Cushion Restraint
• D. A Medical Restraint Device Without a Doctor's Order

Answer: (A)

Mechanical restraint means using a device to restrict a person’s movement, and in this context it is treated as a prohibited emergency intervention that relies on a device to limit mobility. That focus on both the device and the prohibition in emergency situations is why this option is the best fit. Voluntary timeouts don’t involve restricting movement with a device, so they aren’t mechanical restraints. A soft cushion restraint is a restraint device, but the definition here emphasizes the prohibited emergency aspect rather than a general restraint. A medical restraint without a doctor’s order is improper due to lack of authorization, not the formal definition of mechanical restraint itself.