A nurse is caring for a client who has experienced a stillbirth. Which of the following actions should the nurse take during the initial grieving process?
Explanation & Rationale
Choice A reason: Reassuring the client about future children minimizes her current grief and loss, which is inappropriate during initial grieving. This dismisses the emotional significance of the stillbirth, potentially causing distress, making it an insensitive and incorrect action. Choice B reason: Discouraging friends from seeing the newborn restricts the client’s support system and grieving process. Allowing such interactions can provide closure and comfort, so this action is counterproductive and insensitive, making it incorrect for supporting grief. Choice C reason: Offering to take pictures of the newborn provides a tangible memory, supporting the client’s grieving process. This sensitive intervention validates the loss and aids emotional healing, aligning with best practices for stillbirth care, making it the correct action. Choice D reason: Advising against discussing the stillbirth isolates the client and hinders grief processing. Open communication with family fosters support and healing, so this action is harmful and contradicts grief support principles, making it incorrect.