When a patient states, "My son hasn't been to see me in months," the nurse's best verbal response is:

A. The nurse-patient relationship ends when the patient is discharged.
The nurse-patient relationship is time-limited and often ends when the patient is discharged, which aligns with its structured, goal-oriented nature.

B. A social relationship does not have goals or needs to be met. While social relationships may not have structured goals, they can still have mutual needs or goals. In contrast, the nurse-patient relationship has specific health-related goals and objectives focused on patient care.

C. The focus is mainly on the nurse in the nurse-patient relationship. This is incorrect, as the primary focus of the therapeutic relationship is on the patient's needs and well-being, not the nurse’s.

D. A social relationship does not require trust or sharing of life experiences. Social relationships do require trust and sharing of experiences; however, they are typically not bound by the professional boundaries, goals, and time limitations that define the nurse-patient relationship.

A. "Come and get me if Mr. Jones has a high heart rate." This statement lacks specificity, as “high heart rate” is vague. The assistant may not know what range constitutes “high.”

B. "I need to know if Mr. Jones' blood pressure is elevated."
This statement is also too vague, as the assistant may not understand what is considered "elevated."

C. "If Mr. Jones' heart rate is greater than 100, let me know."
This direction is clear and specific, providing a measurable parameter for the assistant to follow, making it the best option.

D. "Let me know if Mr. Jones' temperature is high."
"High" is vague, as it does not provide a specific value or range for temperature.