probably best answered by Intergraph people. But as far as I know, as long as you can specify the node number, you can specify it at any element, except for SIF. For instance, you can specify restraint, displacement, nozzle flex, hangers or nozzle limit check at node 30 while elements 10 to 20 is selected, but you have to select the element containing node 30 to specify the sif there. however, to me it's a good practice to specify as much as you can at or near the "right" element. otherwise it's hard to follow your work.