Final answer:
The assertion about Peplau's model is true; problem identification takes place in the orientation phase where the nurse assesses patient needs. The stage of disease where general signs and symptoms appear is called the prodromal stage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement about Peplau's model concerning problem identification occurring during the orientation phase is true. In Peplau's theory of nursing, which focuses on the interpersonal relationships between the nurse and the patient, the orientation phase is the first phase in which the patient and nurse meet and get to know each other. It is during this phase that the nurse assesses the patient's needs, concerns, and the presenting problems. Therefore, problem identification is indeed a key component of the orientation phase.
The phase being asked about in the reference question, which mentions the stage of disease when general signs and symptoms begin to appear, is known as the prodromal stage in the context of disease progression. The prodromal stage precedes the overt manifestation of symptoms that define the illness's specific syndrome, consequently indicating the initial development of a disease before acute symptoms occur.