The nurse is performing an abdominal assessment on a postoperative surgical patient. The nurse notes that the dressing needs to be changed twice a day and discusses when the patient would like to have it done

Question

The nurse then plans to change the dressing at that time. In which phase of the nurse-patient helping relationship would this process occur?
a.
Introductory phase
b.
Orientation phase
c.
Working phase
d.
Termination phase

Answer 1

ANS: C
In the Working phase, there is the development of a contract or plan of care to achieve identified patient goals; implementation of the care plan or contract; collaborative work among the nurse, patient, and other health care providers, as needed; enhancement of trust and rapport between the nurse and the patient; reflection by the patient on emotional aspects of illness; and use of therapeutic communication by the nurse to keep interactions focused on the patient. In the Orientation phase or Introductory phase, introductions are made, establishing professional role boundaries (formally or informally) and expectations, and clarifying the role of the nurse. Identifying the needs and resources of the patient through observing, interviewing, and assessing the patient, followed by validation of perceptions. also occur in this phase. Termination involves alerting the patient to impending closure of the relationship, evaluating the outcomes achieved during the interaction, and concluding the relationship and transitioning patient care to another caregiver, as needed.