A nurse is caring for a 2-month-old infant who is postoperative following repair of a cleft lip and palate. The surgeon prescribes restraints. The nurse should apply which of the following types of restraints to the infant?

A. Wrist: Wrist restraints are typically used to prevent older children or adults from pulling at medical devices or dressings. For an infant, wrist restraints can be too harsh and restrictive. They do not prevent the child from bending their arms, which could allow them to reach their face and potentially disrupt the surgical site. B. Mummy: A mummy restraint involves wrapping the infant’s body tightly with a blanket to restrict movement, typically used for short periods during medical procedures to keep the child still. This type of restraint is too restrictive for postoperative care and does not allow any movement of the arms, making it uncomfortable and unsuitable for continuous use over extended periods. C. Elbow: Elbow restraints, also known as no-no’s, are designed to prevent the infant from bending their arms. This type of restraint keeps the elbows straight, preventing the child from touching their face and disrupting the surgical site of the cleft lip and palate. It is effective in allowing the infant to move their arms while ensuring that they cannot interfere with the healing area. This method is less restrictive and more humane for postoperative care in an infant. D. Jacket: Jacket restraints are used to secure the torso, usually to prevent a child from moving out of bed or a chair. This type of restraint is more restrictive and not specific to preventing arm movement. For an infant recovering from cleft lip and palate surgery, jacket restraints would not effectively prevent the child from reaching their face, and they can be excessively confining and distressing for an infant.