The first phase of inter-personal relationship is?

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2016

Explanation

Hildegard Peplau's influential theory outlines four sequential phases for the nurse-patient relationship.
The Orientation phase is the initial encounter where the nurse and patient meet, build rapport, and define the patient's health problem.
Key activities during this first phase include establishing trust, gathering data, setting mutual goals, and formulating a contract for the relationship.
This phase lays the foundation for the subsequent phases of identification, exploitation, and resolution.

Option A: Identification is the second phase of Peplau's model, not the first. It occurs after the initial orientation and trust-building.
Option B: Exploitation, also known as the working phase, is the third phase. It is when the patient actively uses the resources offered by the nurse to meet their health goals.
Option D: Resolution is the fourth and final phase, also called the termination phase. It marks the end of the therapeutic relationship when goals have been achieved.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Peplau's Theory of Interpersonal Relations as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding Peplau's phases allows nurses to consciously build and navigate therapeutic relationships, which is fundamental to effective psychiatric and general nursing care.
By recognizing the tasks specific to each phase, nurses can anticipate patient behaviors and tailor their interventions to support the patient's progress.
What if a nurse skips the orientation phase and moves directly to tasks? This can lead to patient mistrust, non-adherence to the care plan, and a breakdown in the therapeutic relationship, as the foundation of rapport and clear goals was never established.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question. The question asks to identify the first phase of the interpersonal relationship, which points to a specific nursing theory.
Recall or recognize that the options (Orientation, Identification, Exploitation, Resolution) are the classic phases described by Hildegard Peplau.
Mentally arrange these phases in their correct sequence: 1. Orientation, 2. Identification, 3. Exploitation, 4. Resolution.
Select the first phase from the sequence, which is 'Orientation'.
Match this with the given options to find the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 1054-1056

E6 Guide to Mental Health & PSYCHIATRIC NURSING R Sreevani— Part 1 (pp 26-289 of 579) p. 108-110

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