  Based on the Relativistic continuum Hartree-Bogoliubov (RCHB) theory, the
pseudo-spin approximation in exotic nuclei is investigated in Zr and Sn
isotopes from the proton drip line to the neutron drip line. The quality of the
pseudo-spin approximation is shown to be connected with the competition between
the centrifugal barrier (CB) and the pseudo-spin orbital potential (PSOP). The
PSOP depends on the derivative of the difference between the scalar and vector
potentials $dV/dr$. If $dV/dr = 0$, the pseudo-spin symmetry is exact. The
pseudo-spin symmetry is found to be a good approximation for normal nuclei and
to become much better for exotic nuclei with highly diffuse potential, which
have $dV/dr \sim 0$. The energy splitting of the pseudo-spin partners is
smaller for orbitals near the Fermi surface (even in the continuum) than the
deeply bound orbitals. The lower components of the Dirac wave functions for the
pseudo-spin partners are very similar and almost equal in magnitude.
