A nurse is caring for a client whose partner has a terminal diagnosis. Which of the following statements made by the client indicates effective coping?

Caring for a partner with a terminal illness places significant emotional, physical, and psychological stress on caregivers. Effective coping involves behaviors that help the individual maintain emotional balance, seek social support, and sustain normal functioning while managing ongoing stress. Healthy coping strategies often include maintaining social connections, engaging in self-care, and utilizing support systems. Nurses assess coping by identifying adaptive versus maladaptive responses. A. Maintaining social interactions such as having lunch with friends indicates effective coping because it reflects use of a support system and engagement in normal activities. Social support helps reduce caregiver stress, prevent isolation, and promote emotional resilience during a difficult period. This demonstrates adaptive coping behavior. B. Cooking the partner’s favorite foods may reflect caring behavior but does not necessarily indicate coping with emotional stress. While it can be meaningful, it may also represent focus on caregiving tasks rather than addressing the caregiver’s own emotional needs. Therefore, it is not the best indicator of coping. C. Difficulty falling asleep suggests sleep disturbance, which is a common sign of stress, anxiety, or emotional strain. This reflects ineffective coping rather than adaptation. Persistent sleep problems can negatively affect overall health and functioning if not addressed. D. Making a list of tasks indicates organizational behavior but may also reflect anxiety or attempts to regain control in a stressful situation. While it can be helpful, it does not directly demonstrate emotional coping or use of support systems. It is more task-focused than emotionally adaptive.