A nurse at a community health clinic is planning care for an adolescent who recently learned that she is pregnant and is concerned about her ability to afford and care for her baby. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Rationale: A. Assist the adolescent in applying for Medicaid: Medicaid can provide essential prenatal care, delivery services, and pediatric coverage for low-income individuals. Helping the adolescent apply addresses both her financial and health concerns, supporting positive outcomes. B. Refer the adolescent to local mental health clinic: While emotional support is important, this action doesn’t directly address her stated concern about affording and caring for the baby. It may be appropriate later but is not the immediate priority. C. Contact the adolescent parent for assistance: Contacting family may be helpful if the adolescent consents, but it must respect her autonomy and confidentiality. It is not the nurse’s first step without permission or expressed need for family involvement. D. Advise the adolescent to place the newborn for adoption: Suggesting adoption without the adolescent initiating that discussion may be inappropriate and coercive. Nurses should provide options neutrally and supportively, not direct decisions about parenting or adoption.