Final answer:
The nurse should collaborate with a grieving patient's spouse in planning care to ensure the patient has the necessary emotional and social support, which can improve satisfaction, coping, and potentially longevity, while also mitigating the family's care burden.
Correct option is B
Step-by-step explanation:
The reason why a nurse should collaborate with a grieving patient's spouse in planning patient care is B. To ensure adequate support for the patient. Working collaboratively with a spouse or family member allows the healthcare team to provide patient-centered care that takes into account the patient's emotional, social, and physical needs during a difficult time. Family involvement is pivotal in supporting the patient through grief, ensuring they have a support system that is aware and involved in their care. This partnership can lead to improved patient outcomes, as the research indicates that patients receiving hospice care, which includes family support, report higher satisfaction, better coping, and potentially increased longevity.
Furthermore, involving family members in care planning helps to alleviate their burden and provides them necessary emotional support and guidance. Hence, including the spouse in the care planning process aligns with the objectives of holistic and compassionate healthcare.