A 15-year-old male client was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus. He tells the nurse that he is having difficulty adhering to his meal plan when he is with his friends. Which nursing intervention is best for the nurse to implement?

A. Recommend that he avoid fast food restaurants until he is familiar with his prescribed diet: Restricting social activities can lead to feelings of isolation and negatively affect adherence. It does not teach the adolescent practical skills for managing diabetes in real-life situations. B. Encourage him to find activities to do with his friends that do not involve eating: While alternative activities are beneficial, avoiding meals with friends is not realistic for a teen. The goal is to promote self-management skills, not complete avoidance of social situations. C. Advise him to take his own food with him when going to fast food restaurants with his friends: Bringing food may help in some situations, but it does not encourage the adolescent to make informed choices or learn how to navigate typical social eating environments. D. Assist him in identifying popular fast foods that are within his meal plan for diabetes: Teaching the teen how to select appropriate options from common fast food menus empowers him to adhere to his diet while maintaining social interactions. This approach promotes self-management, independence, and realistic coping strategies.