Which phase of a therapeutic relationship is to bring a therapeutic end to the relationship?

Appeared in: BTSC Staff Nurse 30July-2025

Explanation

The termination phase is the final, goal-directed stage of the nurse-patient relationship.
Its primary purpose is to bring the relationship to a therapeutic conclusion.
Key activities include evaluating the achievement of goals with the patient, reminiscing about the progress made, and preparing the patient for independence or transition to other forms of care.
This phase helps to provide closure and reinforces the patient's competence in managing their health in the future.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

Option A: The pre-interaction phase occurs before the nurse even meets the patient. It involves preparation, such as reviewing the patient's history and planning for the first meeting.
Option B: The working phase is the active, problem-solving stage where the nurse and patient collaborate to achieve health goals. It is the longest phase, not the concluding one.
Option C: The orientation phase is the initial stage of the relationship. The focus is on building rapport, establishing trust, defining roles, and setting the parameters for the relationship.

Related Visual

A flowchart illustrating the linear progression of the four phases of the therapeutic relationship, from Pre-interaction to Termination, with a key objective listed for each phase.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Phases of a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Properly navigating the termination phase is a critical nursing skill. It prevents feelings of abandonment in the patient and solidifies the therapeutic gains.
Nurses must recognize that termination can evoke feelings of loss or anxiety in the patient and should be prepared to address these emotions empathetically.
What if a patient is discharged abruptly without a proper termination phase? The patient may feel anxious, unprepared to manage their care independently, and may regress or have difficulty trusting future healthcare providers.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key concept in the question stem: 'therapeutic end to the relationship'.
Analyze the meaning of the keyword 'end'. It signifies conclusion, finality, or termination.
Review the options provided, which are the four standard phases of a therapeutic relationship.
Match the keyword 'end' to the option that most closely aligns with this concept.
The term 'Termination phase' directly corresponds to the idea of ending the relationship, making it the most logical choice.
Confirm your understanding by recalling the purpose of the other phases (preparation, introduction, and active work) to rule them out.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Phases of a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship
Stem keywords: therapeutic relationship, phase, therapeutic end
Lead-in keywords: Which
Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

QbEDlj4pSQOMw5jWMRv0dm

Reference Book

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 2 p. 115-117

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) pp. 9250-9252, 9257-9259

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