Planning for relapse prevention is described as the role of which professional?

Planning for relapse prevention is described as the role of which professional?

• A. The nurse.
• B. The social worker.
• C. The pharmacist.
• D. The physician.

Answer: (A)

Relapse prevention planning hinges on ongoing, proactive nursing care and patient education. Nurses have regular, direct contact with patients, monitor adherence and response to medications, and notice early warning signs of relapse. They teach patients and families about recognizing these signs, implement and adjust the relapse plan in collaboration with the treatment team, and arrange follow-up and community supports. This continuous, coordinated approach is central to how relapse prevention is carried out in practice, making the nurse the best fit to lead this aspect of care. Other professionals contribute in important ways—social workers link resources and provide psychosocial support, pharmacists handle medication education and optimization, and physicians manage diagnoses and prescribe treatment—but the day-to-day planning and execution of relapse prevention typically fall under the nurse’s role.