To determine how the client, who is a single parent of three children,

To determine how the client, who is a single parent of three children, will be able to cope with the current pregnancy, the nurse should ask the client:

1. “Have you ever been married?”
2. “Where do you currently work?”
3. “Has anyone ever taught you about contraception?”
4. “Who do you have for support during this pregnancy?”

ANSWER

ANS: 4
This could be a situational crisis for a single-parent family. The nurse should assess environmental and familial factors, including support systems and coping mechanisms commonly used. Asking the client whether she has ever been married does not assess her ability to cope with the preg-nancy. Asking the client where she works may help determine if there are any environmental factors that may place her pregnancy at risk, but it does not assess her ability to cope with the pregnancy. This would not be the most opportune time to discuss contraception with the client and may convey a message of disapproval. Nor does asking the client about contraception assess her ability to cope with the pregnancy.