A nurse in a clinic is providing education to the guardian of a 6-month-old infant on starting solid foods. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice A reason: Informing the client of available community resources is important for long-term support, but it is not the immediate priority. Before resources can be effectively utilized, the nurse must assess the client’s understanding of their diagnosis and situation. Without this foundation, resource planning may not align with the client’s needs.

Choice B reason: Assisting with child care options is a supportive intervention, but it is not the priority during the initial assessment. Child care planning comes after understanding the client’s perception of their illness and establishing care goals.

Choice C reason: Agreeing upon short-term goals is valuable for care planning, but it requires that the nurse first assess the client’s knowledge and understanding of their diagnosis. Without this, goals may not be realistic or meaningful to the client.

Choice D reason: Asking the client about their understanding of the diagnosis is the priority because it establishes a baseline for communication and care planning. It ensures that the nurse can provide education, clarify misconceptions, and tailor interventions appropriately. This step is essential before moving forward with resources or goal setting, making it the correct answer.

Choice A reason: Telling the adult child they will feel better once they go home dismisses their feelings and does not encourage open communication. It minimizes the emotional distress they are experiencing and fails to provide therapeutic support.

Choice B reason: Asking "Why are you feeling this way?" can come across as confrontational or judgmental. It may make the adult child defensive rather than encouraging them to share their feelings openly. Therapeutic communication requires a more supportive and inviting approach.

Choice C reason: Saying "I think you made the right decision" is reassuring but does not explore the adult child’s feelings. While it provides validation, it does not allow the nurse to fully understand the source of guilt or provide emotional support tailored to the situation.

Choice D reason: Expressing interest in knowing more about what is bothering the adult child is therapeutic. It invites them to share their feelings in a nonjudgmental way, promotes open communication, and allows the nurse to assess and support their emotional needs. This is the correct answer.