A nurse is caring for a client who has attended a bereavement support group. Which of the following client statements demonstrates that the client is meeting the planned outcomes of therapy?

Rationale:

A. Advising the client to modify their behavior to prevent violence places the responsibility on the victim, which is inappropriate and can perpetuate the cycle of abuse. The focus should be on support and empowerment, not blame.

B. The nurse’s role is to offer support, education, and access to resources, such as shelters, hotlines, counseling services, and legal assistance. Providing this information empowers the client to make safe decisions and seek help while maintaining autonomy. This approach aligns with trauma-informed and patient-centered care principles.

C. While social support can be beneficial, offering general social interaction strategies does not specifically address safety, empowerment, or access to resources for victims of intimate partner violence. This approach may fail to meet the client’s urgent needs for protection and support.

D. Similar to option A, this approach blames the victim and incorrectly implies that the client is responsible for the partner’s abusive behavior. Effective nursing care emphasizes safety planning and access to support services, not teaching the victim to manage the abuser’s behavior.

Rationale:

A. Unhealthy diet is incorrect because dietary habits are modifiable behaviors. A person can change their eating patterns to reduce risk for chronic conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. Modifying diet is an example of primary prevention, as it helps reduce the likelihood of disease development.

B. Genetics is correct because genetic makeup is a non-modifiable risk factor. This includes inherited traits such as family history of hypertension, heart disease, certain cancers, or genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis or sickle cell disease. These factors cannot be changed, but they are critical in risk assessment, guiding screening recommendations, early interventions, and lifestyle modifications to mitigate associated risks. Recognizing non-modifiable factors allows nurses to implement personalized preventive strategies.

C. Sunbathing is incorrect because exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a modifiable behavior. Individuals can reduce their risk of skin cancer by limiting sun exposure, using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding tanning beds. Unlike genetic factors, behavior-based risks can be actively changed.

D. Smoking is incorrect because smoking is a modifiable lifestyle choice. Quitting smoking significantly lowers the risk of developing lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular disease, and stroke. Smoking cessation is a cornerstone of primary prevention strategies.