Most nurse-patient interactions in the OR are of short duration; therefore, formulating appropriate care plans for accurate patient assessments is paramount. Observations of a patient's behavior without a deliberative exploration to disclose the behavioral meanings can lead to erroneous nursing diagnoses and interventions. A perioperative nurse who uses the theoretical approach developed by Ida Jean Orlando, RN, MA, will be able to identify the patient's covert needs, thereby providing timely, therapeutic nursing interventions. The article presents a perioperative clinical situation analyzed through Orlando's interactional framework, demonstrating the theory's beneficial impact on patient outcomes.