The nurse can explore the supports the parents have consisting of the condition of the marital relationship, presence of other family members, friends, recreation and activities for stress management, finances, ability to find babysitters for the child with a heart lesion, access to shopping and other facilities, and knowledge of the child's condition and needs. Once the family situation has been assessed, the nurse can intervene to provide information and locate resources. It is important to remember the need for information regarding the physical requirements of the child as well as methods for coping with the psychological needs of the entire family. Intervention must be ongoing from the time of the child's diagnosis. If family members have coped successfully with the child's condi-