Which phase of the nurse-patient relationship focuses to develop clarity about the patient's preconceptions and expectations of nurses and develop acceptance of each other and respond to people who can offer help is?

1. A

   Orientation Phase

2. B

   Working Phase

3. C

   Exploitation Phase

4. D

   Termination Phase

Appeared in: AIIMS Raipur NO - 2017 (Shift-1)

Explanation

Listen in Hindi

• The Orientation Phase is the initial encounter where the foundation of the therapeutic relationship is built.
• Key tasks during this phase include establishing trust, clarifying roles, assessing the patient's needs, and defining the goals and boundaries of the relationship.
• This phase directly addresses the patient's expectations and preconceptions to create a mutual understanding and acceptance, which is crucial for a successful partnership.
• It is during this time that the nurse and patient 'size each other up' and form a contract, either verbal or written, about how they will work together.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option B: The Working Phase is incorrect because it is the second stage, focused on action and problem-solving, which can only happen after trust and roles have been established in the Orientation Phase.
• Option C: The Exploitation Phase is essentially the same as the Working Phase. The term refers to the patient making full use of the nurse's help, not the initial meeting.
• Option D: The Termination Phase is the final stage of the relationship. Its focus is on ending the partnership, not beginning it.

Related Visual

• Visual 1: Flowchart: Illustrating the progression of Peplau's four phases: Orientation -> Identification -> Exploitation (Working) -> Resolution (Termination). This helps visualize the relationship as a process with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Phases of the Nurse-Patient Relationship (Peplau's Theory) to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
• A well-managed Orientation Phase is critical for patient outcomes. When a patient feels heard, respected, and clear about the plan, they are more likely to trust the nurse, adhere to the treatment plan, and actively participate in their own care.
• What if? If a nurse rushes through the Orientation Phase and immediately begins performing tasks without building rapport, the patient may feel like a 'case' rather than a person. This can lead to anxiety, mistrust, and a breakdown in communication, making the subsequent Working Phase much less effective.
• In the Indian healthcare context, where family is often central to care, the Orientation Phase should ideally include key family members to establish trust and clarify roles for everyone involved, respecting cultural norms.

How to Approach the Question

• First, identify the core concepts in the question stem. The keywords are 'clarity about preconceptions,' 'expectations,' and 'acceptance.'
• Recognize that these activities—getting to know someone, understanding their perspective, and building acceptance—are characteristic of the beginning of any relationship.
• Recall the standard phases of the nurse-patient relationship as defined by Peplau: Orientation (beginning), Working (middle), and Termination (end).
• Match the keywords from the stem to the purpose of each phase. 'Expectations' and 'acceptance' clearly align with the Orientation phase.
• Systematically eliminate the other options. The 'Working' phase is for action, and the 'Termination' phase is for ending the relationship, neither of which fits the question's description.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Phases of the Nurse-Patient Relationship (Peplau's Theory)
• Stem keywords: nurse-patient relationship, phase, clarity, preconceptions, expectations, acceptance
• Lead-in keywords: Which phase
• Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

Qp3lfW33vsl2Qqut5SssNh

Copy ID