What indicates a nontherapeutic nurse-patient relationship?

• A. The Nurse Has A Stable Long-Term Relationship
• B. Concerns By Staff About Closeness To Patient
• C. The Nurse Respects Boundaries
• D. The Family Is Included In Decisions

Answer: (B)

Professional boundaries define the safe, therapeutic nurse–patient relationship. When staff express concerns about a nurse’s closeness to a patient, it signals potential boundary crossing or an inappropriate level of familiarity that can undermine objective judgment, violate confidentiality, and create risks of favoritism or exploitation. These boundary issues threaten trust and safety in care, making the relationship nontherapeutic.

In contrast, maintaining appropriate boundaries, providing continuous and respectful involvement, and including the family in decisions are aligned with therapeutic care. A stable long-term relationship can be beneficial when boundaries are intact, and involving the family supports holistic, patient-centered decision-making.