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Hildegard Peplau: Interpersonal Relations Theory
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🧠 Overview
Name: Hildegard E. Peplau
Title: Mother of Psychiatric Nursing
Theory: Interpersonal Relations Theory (1952)
Focus: Nurse-Patient Relationship as the center of nursing care
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💡 Key Concepts
Peplau believed that nursing is a therapeutic, interpersonal process. The
relationship between the nurse and the patient is dynamic and aimed at
growth and healing.
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🔄 Phases of the Nurse-Patient Relationship
1. Orientation Phase
•Patient seeks help.
•Nurse and patient meet.
•Trust begins to form.
•Nurse assesses the situation.
2. Identification Phase
•Patient begins to express feelings.
•Nurse helps patient recognize problems.
•Patient identifies with the nurse.
3. Exploitation Phase
•Patient uses services offered.
•Nurse supports patient toward goals.
•Teaching and therapeutic interventions happen here.
4. Resolution Phase
•Patient’s needs have been met.
•Relationship ends.
•Patient moves toward independence.
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👩🏫 Nursing Roles in Peplau’s Theory
Nursing Role, and Description
Stranger: greets patient and offers acceptance.
Resource Person: provides information related to patient’s condition.
Teacher: educates the patient about their health.
Leader: helps the patient take responsibility for goals.
Surrogate: acts as a substitute figure (e.g., parent, sibling).
Counselor: listens and guides the patient toward self-understanding.
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🏥 Applications in Nursing
Used mainly in mental health nursing but applies to all areas.
Emphasizes therapeutic communication.
Encourages collaboration and trust.
Supports patient growth, autonomy, and self-awareness.
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🔁 Relation to the Nursing Process
Nursing Process, and Interpersonal Theory Phase
Assessment: Orientation
Diagnosis & Planning: Identification
Implementation: Exploitation
Evaluation: Resolution
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💬 Core Ideas for Exams
•Nursing is interpersonal and goal-directed.
•Trust and communication are essential.
•The nurse-patient relationship is therapeutic.
•Growth and learning happen for both the nurse and the patient.
Perfect! Here are 20 NCLEX-style practice questions based on Hildegard
Peplau’s Interpersonal Relations Theory, tailored to help you pass your
nursing exam:
🧠 Hildegard Peplau – NCLEX Practice Questions
1. The nurse-patient relationship begins during which phase of Peplau’s
theory?
A. Identification
B. Exploitation
C. Orientation
D. Resolution
✅ Answer: C. Orientation
2. A patient begins to express emotions freely and recognizes the nurse as
someone who can help. This reflects which phase?
A. Identification
B. Orientation
C. Exploitation
D. Resolution
✅ Answer: A. Identification
3. During which phase does the patient actively use the nurse’s
knowledge and skills to achieve health goals?
A. Orientation
B. Identification
C. Exploitation
D. Resolution
✅ Answer: C. Exploitation
4. A nurse helps the patient prepare for discharge. Which phase is this?
A. Orientation
B. Identification
C. Exploitation
D. Resolution
✅ Answer: D. Resolution
5. Peplau’s theory focuses primarily on:
A. Health promotion
B. Nurse-patient interaction
C. Disease prevention
D. Family involvement
✅ Answer: B. Nurse-patient interaction
6. Peplau viewed the nurse as a:
A. Caregiver only
B. Passive listener
C. Participant-observer
D. Technical expert
✅ Answer: C. Participant-observer
7. A nurse explains the side effects of a medication to a patient. What role
is she performing?
A. Leader
B. Surrogate
C. Resource person
D. Stranger
✅ Answer: C. Resource person
8. A nurse sets goals with a patient and encourages independence. What
role is this?
A. Teacher
B. Leader
C. Surrogate
D. Stranger
✅ Answer: B. Leader
9. During admission, the nurse introduces herself and asks the patient’s
name. This shows the role of:
A. Teacher
B. Counselor
C. Stranger
D. Surrogate
✅ Answer: C. Stranger
10. A nurse comforts a patient who is grieving the loss of a spouse. What
role is she using?
A. Counselor
B. Leader
C. Teacher
D. Resource
✅ Answer: A. Counselor
11. A nurse educates a diabetic patient on blood sugar monitoring. What
role is this?
A. Teacher
B. Counselor
C. Surrogate
D. Leader
✅ Answer: A. Teacher
12. According to Peplau, what is the major tool in establishing a
therapeutic relationship?
A. Medications
B. Environment
C. Communication
D. Technology
✅ Answer: C. Communication
13. A nurse takes the place of a patient’s mother during a difficult
moment. This demonstrates the role of:
A. Teacher
B. Surrogate
C. Counselor
D. Leader
✅ Answer: B. Surrogate
14. What is the ultimate goal of the resolution phase?
A. Increase medication compliance
B. End the nurse-patient relationship
C. Promote dependency on the nurse
D. Teach family coping skills
✅ Answer: B. End the nurse-patient relationship
15. Which of the following BEST defines Peplau’s theory?
A. A framework for hospital management
B. An interpersonal process that fosters healing
C. A public health prevention model
D. A theory of physiological adaptation
✅ Answer: B. An interpersonal process that fosters healing
16. In which phase is the patient most dependent on the nurse?
A. Orientation
B. Identification
C. Exploitation
D. Resolution
✅ Answer: C. Exploitation
17. The patient is taught how to manage anxiety independently. What
phase is this?
A. Orientation
B. Exploitation
C. Resolution
D. Identification
✅ Answer: C. Resolution
18. A nurse encourages a patient to reflect on their fears. What role is
demonstrated?
A. Leader
B. Counselor
C. Teacher
D. Stranger
✅ Answer: B. Counselor
19. Which of the following is TRUE about Peplau’s theory?
A. It’s used only in pediatrics.
B. It’s applicable only during discharge planning.
C. It focuses on interpersonal and therapeutic communication.
D. It eliminates the need for the nursing process.
✅ Answer: C. It focuses on interpersonal and therapeutic communication
20. Peplau emphasized that both nurse and patient can:
A. Exchange family history
B. Develop professional boundaries only
C. Grow and learn from the relationship
D. Avoid emotions to stay objective
✅ Answer: C. Grow and learn from the relationship
Here are 10 more NCLEX-style practice questions on Hildegard Peplau’s
Interpersonal Relations Theory to complete your nursing exam reviewer:
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💡 More NCLEX Questions – Peplau’s Theory
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1. The nurse is aware that developing trust with the patient is crucial in
the early phase. Which phase is this?
A. Orientation
B. Identification
C. Exploitation
D. Termination
✅ Answer: A. Orientation
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2. The nurse actively listens to the patient’s concerns and provides
emotional support. What role is this?
A. Leader
B. Teacher
C. Counselor
D. Stranger
✅ Answer: C. Counselor
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3. A patient is ready for discharge and no longer relies on the nurse. This
represents:
A. Orientation
B. Identification
C. Exploitation
D. Resolution
✅ Answer: D. Resolution
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4. Peplau’s theory is unique because it emphasizes:
A. Disease process
B. Physician leadership
C. Therapeutic communication and interpersonal process
D. Public health strategies
✅ Answer: C. Therapeutic communication and interpersonal process
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5. A nurse introduces herself and sets initial boundaries with a new
patient. This best illustrates the nurse as a:
A. Surrogate
B. Stranger
C. Leader
D. Resource person
✅ Answer: B. Stranger
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6. A confused elderly patient sees the nurse as their daughter. According
to Peplau, the nurse is acting as a:
A. Counselor
B. Resource person
C. Surrogate
D. Teacher
✅ Answer: C. Surrogate
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7. During which phase does the nurse help the patient explore problems
and possible solutions?
A. Orientation
B. Identification
C. Exploitation
D. Resolution
✅ Answer: C. Exploitation
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8. A nurse encourages the patient to express feelings without judgment.
This action builds:
A. Dependency
B. Emotional distress
C. Therapeutic rapport
D. Silence and space
✅ Answer: C. Therapeutic rapport
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9. A nurse clarifies misunderstandings about a diagnosis. What role is
being fulfilled?
A. Teacher
B. Leader
C. Stranger
D. Surrogate
✅ Answer: A. Teacher
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10. Which statement reflects Peplau's belief about the nurse-patient
relationship?
A. It is a short-term relationship focused on medication.
B. It is a one-sided relationship directed by the nurse.
C. It is a mutual and dynamic interaction that fosters growth.
D. It avoids emotional involvement to maintain professionalism.
✅ Answer: C. It is a mutual and dynamic interaction that fosters growth.
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