The single mother of a child with a head injury is sitting at the child's bedside crying when the practical nurse (PN) enters the room. The mother states, "Why did this happen to my child? I just can't cope with this." How should the PN respond?

A. Express that the present situation must be overwhelming: This response demonstrates empathy and acknowledges the mother’s emotional distress, which helps build trust and provides emotional support. It encourages her to express feelings openly, an important step in coping with crisis. B. Determine if someone else can help her cope with this tragedy: While support systems are important, suggesting this too early may feel dismissive of her immediate emotional state. Active listening should occur before exploring external coping options. C. Ask her to share how the injury occurred to her child: Focusing on the details of the event may increase guilt or anxiety and does not address her immediate emotional needs. The priority is to provide compassion and presence, not gather information. D. Recommend that she remain calm and positive for her child: Although well-intentioned, this minimizes her emotions and may make her feel judged or pressured. Validating her feelings is more therapeutic in this moment.