In clinical risk management, what is the purpose of least restrictive measures?

• A. To preserve client autonomy while ensuring safety.
• B. To maximize hospitalization.
• C. To minimize client input even when safe.
• D. To justify ignoring risk.

Answer: (B)

Least restrictive measures aim to protect safety while preserving the person’s autonomy and rights. In clinical risk management, the approach is to use the least intrusive intervention that can effectively manage risk, engaging the client in decisions and keeping them as independent as possible. Start with strategies that are supportive and collaborative—de-escalation, close supervision in the least intrusive setting, environmental adjustments, and voluntary participation—before considering more restrictive options. This balance honors the individual’s dignity and rights while meeting safety needs; resorting to hospitalization or other restrictive steps only when clearly necessary and justified by risk.

Options that emphasize maximizing hospitalization, minimizing client input when safe, or ignoring risk do not align with this principle: hospitalization is highly restrictive and should be used only when safer, less intrusive measures are insufficient; withholding client input undermines consent and autonomy; and ignoring risk fails to meet professional duty to protect the client and others.