The occupational health nurse is working with an employee who was just notified that their child was involved in a motor vehicle collision and taken to the hospital. The employee states, "I can't believe this. What should I do?" Which response is best for the nurse to provide in this crisis?

In an acute crisis, the individual's cognitive processing is impaired. The nurse's role is to provide direct, concrete guidance to ensure safety and appropriate action. The most immediate and therapeutic need is for the employee to get to the hospital. Directive instruction is necessary. Asking the employee to decide or speculate (A, B) places an unrealistic cognitive demand on someone in shock. Asking for details about the collision's severity (C) is irrelevant to the immediate need for action and may increase anxiety.