Before meeting the patient, a nurse talks to other caregivers about the patient. The nurse is in ...

ANS: A
The time before the nurse meets the patient is called the pre-interaction phase. This phase can involve such things as reviewing available data, including the medical and nursing history, talking to other caregivers who have information about the patient, or anticipating health concerns or issues that can arise. The orientation phase occurs when the nurse and the patient meet and get to know one another. This phase can involve such things as setting the tone for the relationship by adopting a warm, empathetic, caring manner; recognizing that the initial relationship is often superficial, uncertain, and tentative; or expecting the patient to test the nurse's competence and commitment. The working phase occurs when the nurse and the patient work together to solve problems and accomplish goals. This phase can involve such things as encouraging and helping the patient express feelings about his or her health, encouraging and helping the patient with self-exploration, or providing information needed to understand and change behavior. The termination phase occurs during the ending of the relationship. This phase can involve such things as reminding the patient that termination is near, evaluating goal achievement with the patient, or reminiscing about the relationship with the patient.