The patient and the nurse have agreed on problems to be addressed during a short course of outpatient therapy. At the beginning of the appointment, the patient states, “I’d like to work on the issue of relationships today.” Which assessment can be made?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct assessment to be made in this scenario is that the relationship is moving from the orientation phase to the working phase. In the orientation phase of the nurse-patient therapeutic relationship, the focus is on building rapport, establishing trust, and determining the patient's needs and goals. As the patient voluntarily expresses a desire to work on the issue of relationships, it indicates a transition to the working phase where the patient actively identifies problems to address and goals to achieve. This shift demonstrates progress in the therapeutic relationship as the patient is engaging in the therapeutic process and contributing to the agenda set for the appointment. It signifies a readiness for collaborative problem solving and intervention planning, emphasizing the importance of the patient's involvement in decision-making and goal-setting in the therapeutic process.