A nurse is caring for a client who is grieving. Which of the following questions should the nurse ask to identify the client's support systems?

Rationale:

A. "What do others do for you that helps you the most?" is the most appropriate question to assess the client’s support systems. Support systems include family, friends, community resources, faith-based organizations, and other social networks that provide emotional, practical, or spiritual assistance during stressful events such as grief. Understanding the client’s support systems allows the nurse to: Identify who the client relies on for emotional comfort, guidance, and practical help, determine gaps in support that may require referral to social workers, grief counselors, or support groups, tailor interventions to enhance coping strategies, such as involving supportive family members in care or teaching stress management techniques and assess resilience factors that can buffer the negative effects of grief and promote psychological well-being.

B. "Have you thought about harming yourself?" is a safety assessment to identify suicidal ideation or risk for self-harm. While crucial for immediate safety, it does not provide information about the client’s social support network or resources for coping with grief.

C. "How long did you know the person who died?" explores the nature of the relationship and may help understand the intensity of grief, but it does not reveal who supports the client or how they cope.

D. "What are your hopes and plans for the future?" assesses the client’s long-term goals, outlook, and motivation, which can provide insight into resilience, but it does not identify available support systems or the practical and emotional assistance the client receives.

Rationale:

A. Recommending a seating arrangement for a child in a body cast is incorrect because this is secondary or tertiary prevention. It addresses an existing condition (body cast/immobilization) and aims to prevent complications, not to prevent the initial injury or condition.

B. Creating a plan of care for children who have a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is incorrect because this involves managing an existing disease, which falls under tertiary prevention (reducing complications and supporting optimal functioning).

C. Teaching a class about the risks of cigarette smoking is correct because it is primary prevention, aimed at preventing students from starting to smoke, reducing risk factors before disease develops.

D. Organizing a program to promote skateboard safety is correct because it is primary prevention, focused on preventing injuries before they occur by educating children about safe practices and protective equipment.

E. Lobbying for funding for health promotion efforts is correct because it supports broader primary prevention initiatives, such as school-wide vaccination programs, nutrition education, or safety campaigns, aimed at preventing illness or injury at the population level.