A helping relationship is being established between nurse and client.

A helping relationship is being established between nurse and client. In addressing the client, the nurse should:

1. Use the client’s first name
2. Touch the client right away to establish contact
3. Sit far enough away from the client’s personal space
4. Always knock and pause before entering the client’s room

ANSWER

ANS: 4
Common courtesy is part of professional communication. To practice courtesy, the nurse says hello and goodbye, knocks on doors before entering, and uses self-introduction. Knocking on doors is important in addressing the client. Because using last names is respectful in most cul-tures, nurses usually use the client’s last name in the initial interaction, and then use the first name if the client requests it. Touching the client right away would not be an appropriate action in es-tablishing a helping relationship. It would more likely be interpreted as invading the client’s per-sonal space. Sitting far enough away from the client is important in that the nurse should not en-ter the client’s personal space when establishing a helping relationship. However, leaning toward the client conveys that the nurse is involved and interested in the client. Knocking on the door before entering the client’s room would be the first step in addressing the client properly.