A nurse in an emergency department is preparing to discharge a client who has severe hypertension and requires detoxification for alcohol use disorder. The nurse should recommend a referral to which of the following resources?

Choice A reason: While this statement is true, it is confrontational and does not address the nurse’s legal and professional responsibility. Nurses must prioritize child safety and follow mandated reporting laws rather than offering judgmental statements.

Choice B reason: Asking the parent why they think it will not happen again is inappropriate. It places responsibility on the parent and may minimize the seriousness of the abuse. The nurse’s role is to protect the child, not to debate with the caregiver.

Choice C reason: Reporting suspected child abuse is not optional or left to the parent. It is a legal obligation of healthcare providers. Suggesting that it is the parent’s responsibility misrepresents the nurse’s duty and could result in failure to protect the child.

Choice D reason: Informing the parent that the child will be privately interviewed is appropriate. This ensures the child’s voice is heard without parental influence and allows professionals to assess the situation accurately. It also communicates the seriousness of the incident while maintaining professionalism

Choice A reason: Anticipatory grief refers to the emotional response experienced before an actual loss occurs, such as when a loved one is terminally ill and death is expected. It allows individuals to begin processing the loss in advance. In this case, the partner has already died, and the grief is occurring years after the event, not before. Therefore, anticipatory grief does not apply.

Choice B reason: Exaggerated grief is characterized by extreme, disabling reactions to loss, often manifesting as self-destructive behaviors, severe depression, or suicidal ideation. While the client has withdrawn socially, there is no evidence of dangerous or self-harming behaviors described. The presentation is more consistent with prolonged sadness and social withdrawal rather than exaggerated grief.

Choice C reason: Chronic grief is persistent, prolonged grief that continues for years after the loss, interfering with normal functioning and daily life. The client’s ongoing social withdrawal and lack of participation in regular activities three years after the partner’s death clearly indicate unresolved grief that has become chronic. This is the most accurate description of the client’s condition.

Choice D reason: Disenfranchised grief occurs when a person’s loss is not socially recognized or supported, such as the death of an ex-spouse, a pet, or a stigmatized relationship. In this scenario, the client’s partner’s death is a socially acknowledged loss, and the issue is not lack of recognition but persistence of grief. Therefore, disenfranchised grief does not fit the situation.