What distance is recommended for nurse-patient communication?

• A. 1-2 ft
• B. 6-10 ft
• C. 10-15 ft
• D. 3-6 ft

Answer: (D)

Therapeutic nurse-patient communication works best at a distance of about 3 to 6 feet. This range lets you maintain professional boundaries while staying close enough for meaningful eye contact, observation of facial expressions, and responsive listening—all of which help build trust and comfort for the patient. Being closer than 1–2 feet can feel invasive and crowd the patient, which can shut down open communication. Standing farther than about 6 feet tends to create emotional distance and makes it harder to pick up nonverbal cues, weakening rapport. So, 3–6 feet provides the optimal balance for most nurse-patient interactions.