A 33-year-old individual presents to the emergency department visibly distressed after learning of an unexpected job loss. The patient is pacing, expressing hopelessness about the future, and showing difficulty concentrating on the assessment questions. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize to address the immediate needs of this patient?
Apply physical restraints to prevent potential harm due to the patient's agitated state.
Offer the patient food and fluids to foster a sense of care and comfort.
Immediately initiate a discussion about long-term career plans and coping mechanisms.
Establish a therapeutic rapport and assure safety.
The correct answer is 'Establish a therapeutic rapport and assure safety.' During a situational crisis, it's essential for the nurse to first establish a therapeutic relationship to assure the patient feels heard and supported. Assuring safety is paramount, as acute stress can lead to impaired judgment. The nurse can then use this rapport to assess for further risk, provide resources, and plan additional interventions. Offering food and fluids, although important for overall patient care, is not a targeted intervention for situational crisis. Discussing long-term plans prematurely may increase anxiety. Restraining the patient should only be considered if they pose an immediate risk to themselves or others, which is not indicated by the information provided.
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BCEN CEN
Mental Health Emergencies
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