The touch and the interpersonal distance during adults nursing consultation

Abstract

The present article reports on the observation made during adults nursing consultation in a hospital of the of City São Paulo: concerning about time and place where nurse and patient contacted each other during the consultation; the interpersonal distance maintained between then during all time; and take comments about the meaning of nonverbal signs in interpersonal interaction. It discusses the objects used by nurses and patients which were useful for identification or definition of the maintained relationship.