A nurse is caring for a client who was recently diagnosed with depression. The client's partner asks when he will get better. Which of the following is an appropriate response by the nurse?

A. "The important thing is that he gets better, not how long it takes.": This response dismisses the partner’s concern about timing and does not provide guidance or education. It avoids addressing the question and may increase anxiety or frustration. B. "Tell me what you know about depression.": Asking this encourages the partner to share their understanding, allowing the nurse to identify misconceptions and provide individualized education about the course of depression, expected timeline for improvement, and treatment strategies. It fosters engagement and supports informed caregiving. C. "We've seen steady improvement in other clients who are depressed.": While intended to reassure, this statement generalizes experiences and may create unrealistic expectations. Recovery timelines vary widely among individuals with depression. D. "No one really knows the answer to that question.": This response is dismissive and provides no guidance or support. It fails to educate or empower the partner to participate in care or recognize signs of improvement.