A nurse is planning care for a client who is having an exacerbation of chronic bronchitis. Which of the following interventions should the nurse plan to include?

A. "Yes, you will have to discontinue breastfeeding.": Stopping breastfeeding is not necessary with mastitis unless the mother is severely ill or the provider specifically advises it. Continuing to nurse helps relieve milk stasis and promotes healing.

B. "No, you can continue to nurse from both your breasts.": Continuing to breastfeed or pump from both breasts is recommended. Frequent emptying of the affected breast reduces engorgement, clears infection, and maintains milk supply while ensuring the infant receives safe breast milk.

C. "No, but you should alternate between the right breast and the bottle.": Alternating with bottles is unnecessary unless the mother cannot feed directly. Encouraging breastfeeding from both breasts helps resolve the infection more efficiently.

D. "Yes, but you can resume nursing when you are done with your antibiotics.": Delaying breastfeeding is not required; continuing to nurse while on antibiotics that are safe for lactation is standard practice and helps resolve mastitis faster.

A. "Why do you think your life is not worth it anymore?": Asking “why” can feel judgmental and may cause the client to withdraw rather than share openly. It directs the conversation toward justification rather than safety assessment, delaying the nurse’s responsibility to determine immediate suicide risk.

B. "You can trust me and tell me what you are thinking": While supportive, this statement is too vague and does not address the urgent need to assess suicidal intent. It does not guide the client toward providing specific information needed to evaluate the level of risk and plan for safety.

C. "I need to know what you mean by misery": This response explores the client’s feelings but does not directly address the expressed suicidal thoughts. Focusing on the term “misery” may allow critical details about planning or intent to go unassessed during a potentially dangerous moment.

D. “Do you have a plan to end your life?”: This is an appropriate and essential safety-focused response because it directly assesses the client’s level of suicidal intent and the presence of a plan. Determining whether a plan exists helps the nurse evaluate the immediacy of the risk and initiate protective interventions without delay.