How can nurses assess for coping resources in a patient?

• A. Assess financial resources only.
• B. Assess social support, problem-solving skills, spiritual/cultural resources, finances, and access to care; use open-ended questions.
• C. Avoid asking about coping resources.
• D. Focus solely on physical health and ignore coping.

Answer: (B)

Assessing coping resources means looking at what supports a patient can draw on to adapt to illness and stress across multiple areas. Nurses explore social support from family or friends, problem‑solving skills for daily tasks and treatment, spiritual or cultural resources that provide meaning or comfort, finances, and access to care such as transportation, insurance, and the ability to obtain medications and follow‑up. Using open‑ended questions helps the patient describe who helps them, what strategies they use to handle problems, what beliefs or practices aid their coping, and what barriers might be impeding care.

This broad approach is best because coping resources influence how someone manages illness, adheres to treatment, and recovers. Knowing the patient’s supports and gaps guides targeted interventions and referrals—like social work, chaplaincy, financial counseling, or community resources—and informs individualized care planning. Focusing only on finances, avoiding discussion of coping, or concentrating solely on physical health would miss important protective factors that support resilience and positive outcomes.