y person unknown to her or him. In the role of the stranger, the nurse does not prejudge the patient, assuming the patient to be emotionally able until evidence to the contrary emerges in the course of the relationship. The nurse assumes the role of the stranger during the orientation phase of the nurse-patient relationship (Peplau, 1952, pp. 44-47).
The role of resource person is the second role played by the nurse. As a resource person, the nurse provides specific answers to the patient's questions where possible, and provides an interpretation of any care plan developed for the patient. In this role, the nurse must determine how the information required should be provided to the patient. The principal choices in this context are straightforward answers or counseling (Peplau, 1952, pp. 47-48). The role of the resource person will most often be adopted by the nurse during the identification phase of the nurse-patient relationship, although the role may also be appropriate, at times, in both the orientation and exploitati
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