A nurse has been working with a patient for the entire shift. Which action by the nurse is unacceptable?
A) Sharing a personal mobile phone number
B) Touching the patient's hand during a painful procedure
C) Standing 6 feet away from the patient when conversing
D) Using the SBAR method of hand-off communication

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Professional role boundaries define the limits and responsibilities of nurses within a specific setting. It is unprofessional and unethical to share personal phone numbers or meet with patients outside of the health care setting. Therapeutic touch, such as holding the patient's hand or touching the patient's shoulder, can provide comfort and may alleviate pain. This is especially true when a patient is undergoing a painful or stressful procedure. Conversing 6 feet away is appropriate because it falls in the realm of social space; intimate space is 0 to 1.5 feet, personal space is 1.5 to 4 feet, and public space is 12 feet or more. One method of interpersonal communication that has been adopted to increase interprofessional and hand-off communication is the SBAR model (situation, background, action/assessment/awareness, and recommendation).

A Nurse Has Been Working with a Patient for the Entire