A nurse is caring for a client who has just died following unsuccessful CPR. The family wishes to view the body. Which of the following actions should the nurse take before inviting the family into the room?

Rationale A. Keep the head of the bed flat: Keeping the head of the bed flat is not necessary when preparing a body for family viewing. Elevating the head slightly may provide a more natural appearance, but bed positioning does not impact the safety or dignity of the viewing. B. Hold the client's eyelids closed until they remain shut: After death, the eyes may remain partially open, which can be distressing for the family. Gently holding the eyelids closed until they stay shut helps maintain a peaceful and natural appearance, promoting dignity and reducing potential emotional trauma during viewing. C. Apply identification tags to the client's extremities: Identification tags are applied for legal and procedural purposes, usually by the mortuary or following facility protocol. While important, this action does not directly prepare the body for family viewing and can be completed afterward. D. Leave resuscitation equipment and supplies at the bedside: Leaving used resuscitation equipment at the bedside is inappropriate and may be distressing to the family. All supplies should be removed or stored out of sight before family viewing to preserve a respectful environment and maintain dignity.