Initial nursing action to support emotional needs after a stillbirth is to:

• A. Allow family members to name the infant.
• B. Encourage the client to talk about the dead fetus.
• C. Allow the client and the spouse to hold the infant.
• D. Assess the client's and spouse's perception of the event.

Answer: (D)

Assessing how the client and spouse perceive the loss is the first nursing action. Understanding their view of what happened, their emotional state, coping style, beliefs, and immediate needs guides how you support them and determines what interventions are appropriate next. By gauging readiness and preferences, you can tailor options such as naming the infant, talking about the loss, or holding the infant to what they want and can handle at this moment. If needed, you can then arrange additional support like counseling or social work. The key is to start with listening and understanding their perspective before taking further steps.