While performing the physical examination, the nurse shares information and briefly teaches the patient. Why does the nurse do this?

A) To help the examiner feel more comfortable and gain control of the situation
B) To build rapport and increase the patient's confidence in the examiner
C) To assist the patient in understanding his or her disease process and treatment modalities
D) To aid the patient to identify questions about his or her disease and the potential areas of needed education

Sharing information builds rapport and increases the patient's confidence in the examiner. It also gives the patient a little more control in a situation during which feeling completely helpless is often present. Sharing information helps the patient, not the examiner, feel more comfortable and gain some control of the situation. It does not necessarily assist the patient's understanding of his/her disease process and treatment modalities or aid the patient in identifying questions or needed education. Sharing information during an examination does help build rapport and increase the patient's confidence in the examiner.