A patient requiring the use of restraining apparatus, sedation, and close supervision at all times should be classified as

• A. Psychiatric walking patient of moderate severity
• B. Psychiatric litter patient of intermediate severity
• C. Litter patient other than psychiatric
• D. Severe psychiatric litter patient

Answer: (D)

The situation tests how patient transport classifications tier the level of supervision and control needed. When a patient must be restrained, sedated, and kept under close supervision at all times, it signals the highest level of risk and the most stringent safety requirements during movement. That combination fits the severe psychiatric litter patient category, which describes moving a psychiatric patient on a litter with continuous restraints and pharmacologic management to prevent harm and ensure safety for both the patient and staff.

Other categories would involve less intensive handling: a patient who can walk, or a psychiatric patient on a litter who does not require constant restraints or sedation, or a non-psychiatric medical patient on a litter without ongoing psychiatric risk. These do not capture the need for ongoing restraints and sedation, so they are not the best fit for this scenario.