A client with somatic symptom disorder reports experiencing chest pain to the nurse. Which action should the nurse take?

A) Becoming the faculty sponsor for Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) is a proactive and constructive behavior that indicates the client is coping well with her anxiety related to the student’s death. This action demonstrates her ability to channel her grief into positive advocacy, suggesting that she is processing her emotions and seeking to create meaningful change, which is a strong indicator of healthy coping.

B) Describing alternatives to becoming depressed over the student’s death is a positive step, as it shows the client is engaging in cognitive strategies to manage her emotions. However, while this indicates some progress, it is less impactful than taking active steps to address the issue, like becoming involved in advocacy or community efforts.

C) Confronting her parents about the hurt she felt as a child of alcoholic parents can be a significant therapeutic step, but it may not directly relate to her current coping with the loss of her student. While this confrontation may contribute to her overall healing, it does not necessarily indicate coping specifically related to the anxiety from the recent event.

D) Signing a safety contract with the nurse indicates that there may still be significant concerns regarding self-harm or emotional distress. While this is an important safety measure, it suggests that the client is not yet fully coping well with her anxiety, as it implies she is still in a vulnerable state rather than demonstrating effective coping mechanisms.

A) Asking the employee what she thinks should happen may put additional pressure on her during an extremely distressing moment. In a crisis, individuals often struggle to think clearly, and this response may not provide the immediate support she needs.

B) Calling for transportation to the hospital is the best response. This action demonstrates immediate support and concern for her well-being and allows her to prioritize reaching her child. It provides practical assistance in a moment of crisis and helps ensure she can get to her child as quickly as possible.

C) Asking how serious the collision was may seem relevant, but it could increase anxiety for the employee. She may not have this information, and discussing the severity of the situation could lead to further distress when she is already overwhelmed.

D) Asking what she thinks she should do could also add pressure to make a decision at a time when she is likely feeling helpless and confused. In a crisis, offering direct support and assistance is typically more effective than seeking input from the individual.