Which actions by a nurse indicate non-therapeutic relationships?

• A. Buying toys for a hospitalized child and visiting families on off-duty days.
• B. Providing patient-centered education.
• C. Maintaining professional boundaries.
• D. Documenting care.

Answer: (A)

Setting boundaries in the nurse–patient relationship is essential to keep care focused on the patient’s needs and avoid personal involvement that could influence care. Buying toys for a hospitalized child and visiting families on off-duty days crosses that line, because it blurs the professional role with social or personal interactions. Gifts can create a sense of obligation or favoritism and may affect objectivity, fairness, or the child’s perception of care. Off-duty visits turn the nurse into a social contact rather than a caregiver, risking dual relationships and policies designed to protect patient welfare and professional integrity.

Providing patient-centered education supports the patient’s autonomy and involvement in care, which is therapeutic. Maintaining professional boundaries and documenting care are fundamental professional practices that promote safe, ethical care.