Hildegard Peplau's Interpersonal Relations Theory
Peplau, the 'mother of psychiatric nursing', described the nurse-patient relationship as a therapeutic interpersonal process with distinct phases and nursing roles.
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What you must know about Peplau Interpersonal Theory
Peplau is known as the "mother of psychiatric nursing".
Nursing is a therapeutic interpersonal process between nurse and patient.
The four phases are: orientation, identification, exploitation (working), and resolution (termination).
Orientation: patient recognises a need and seeks help; nurse and patient get acquainted.
Resolution/termination: needs are met and the therapeutic relationship ends.
Nursing roles include stranger, resource person, teacher, leader, surrogate, and counsellor.
NMCN Exam Tips
How this topic appears in the NMCN exam
Memorise the four phases in order: orientation → identification → exploitation → resolution.
Peplau is strongly associated with psychiatric/mental health nursing.
Match nurse roles (teacher, counsellor, surrogate) to scenarios.
The working phase (exploitation) is where the patient uses the relationship to solve problems.
Practice Question
Test yourself
In Peplau's interpersonal theory, the phase in which the nurse and patient first meet, get acquainted, and identify the problem is the:
Explanation
The orientation phase is the initial phase where the patient recognises a need for help, and the nurse and patient meet as strangers, build trust, and define the problem. Resolution is the final termination phase.
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