A community health nurse is working with a family that is struggling to adapt following the loss of a family member. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A. Assist the family to establish a daily routine: Establishing routines can provide structure, but it is more effective after the nurse has assessed the family’s current functioning and needs following the loss. B. Refer the family to a grief support group: Referral to support groups is beneficial, but it is not the initial step. Understanding the family’s dynamics and coping capacity should precede external referrals. C. Determine the roles of individual family members: Assessing each member’s role and function helps the nurse understand how the family is coping and identifies areas of strength and need. This assessment guides appropriate interventions and prioritizes support. D. Encourage the family to assign specific tasks to individual family members: Assigning tasks is part of restoring structure, but it should follow an assessment of roles and capabilities to ensure tasks are appropriate and achievable.